Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Marilyn J. Simpson, 91, of Eldridge, will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 5, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Ann’s, with a rosary and time of sharing at 6:30 p.m.
Additional visitation held at church from 9 until 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Marilyn Jean Sueppel was born on June 9, 1931, in Iowa City. Marilyn married her beloved husband, Gerald Simpson, on June 30, 1951, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. Marilyn graduated from Marycrest College in Davenport with a bachelor’s degree in teaching and taught at Holy Family Catholic School in Davenport for over 20 years. Marilyn was very active in parish life, including president of Home and School at St. Alphonsus and the Democratic Party.
Gerry and Marilyn made sure their children had a strong faith by nurturing their own faith with many retreats, regular Mass and providing K-12 Catholic education for all 11 children. They also encouraged sports and music, as evident by a dozen athletic and music schedules hanging on the kitchen cork board. Gerry and Marilyn were avid Bridge players and rarely sat out a dance. They also encouraged political activism, and Marilyn’s work in the local Democratic Party earned her an invitation to the White House. She enjoyed travel and even went to Paris and Rome with her oldest daughter Jean, where they both attended a Mass in St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Marilyn knew how to have fun! Such as: the memorable expression of creative dance while at Marycrest. She loved Florida and enjoyed over 20 years of her retirement near the ocean. As an Iowa City kid growing up, Marilyn remained an enthusiastic Hawkeye fan and we all knew not to call her during game time. She enjoyed playing piano into her 90s, was an avid reader, especially biographies, and never passed up the chance to play dominoes. Marilyn was a force of nature with her wit, intelligence and faith.
She is survived by her 10 children: Mike (Jackie) Simpson, Pat (Leslie) Simpson, Jean Simpson, Sue (Tony) Jones, Tom (Wendy) Simpson, Joe (Mae) Simpson, David Simpson, Dan (Melissa) Simpson, Katie (Mark) Lenzendorf and Robert (Sadie) Simpson; her 28 grandchildren: Katrina, Kelly, Michael, Tim, Samantha, Wil, Kathrin, Amy, Chad, Justin, Grant, Ben, Christina, Gina, Vanessa, Jerad, Jennifer Marilyn, Brianna, Ellie, Alec, Watson, Claire, Allie, Jacob, Josh, Jessica, Jeremiah, Jordan; and her 18 great-grandchildren: Logan, Bailey, Elexa. Mason, Aiden, Oscar, Jasmine, Joslynn, Delaney, Brinley, Kellan, Jackson, Halana, Clayton, Ezra. Rose, Blakely, and Holly. Her sisters: Alice Finnegan, Ann Madsen, and sisters-in-law: Pat Sueppel, Mercy Sueppel, Carol Sueppel and Carolyn Sueppel, and many nieces and nephews.
Marilyn was preceded in death by: her husband Gerald Simpson; her daughter, Theresa Wheatley; her great-grandchildren, Lola Louter and Josiah Clarke; her parents, Francis and Katherine Sueppel; brothers, William Sueppel, Robert Sueppel, Bud Sueppel, Paul Sueppel; sister, Pauline Sueppel; brothers-in-law, Sonny Madsen, Tom McAreavy, Tom Finnegan; and sister-in-law, Judy Sueppel; and her son-in-law, Tim Wheatley. May they rest in peace.
The Simpson family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Grand Haven Retirement Community and Genesis Hospice for all the wonderful and compassionate care given to Marilyn.
Online condolences may be made at www.hmdfuneralhome.com
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