Kathleen McConnell Simon

Saturday, November 20, 2021 12:07 am

Kathleen Ann McConnell Simon, age 69, formerly of Decorah, died Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, surrounded by her family, at Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire, Kans.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Donald Hertges officiating. She will be laid to rest at St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery in rural Bluffton. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at St. Benedict Catholic Church.

Kathleen Ann McConnell Simon was born Oct. 14, 1952, in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Melvin Patrick McConnell and Irene Kathern (Snitker) McConnell. Kathy was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, wife, and friend. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1970.  Kathy then received her degree in Home Economics at the University of Northern Iowa in 1974. She married Gary Roling on Aug. 7, 1976. They had three children together and later divorced.

Kathy went on to pursue her dreams and calling in the field of social work. She obtained her Bachelors in social work from Mount Mercy College in 1998 and then her Masters in social work from the University of Iowa in 2006. She married James Simon July 5th, 2002. They lived in Cedar Rapids, then later moved to Des Moines. She enjoyed interior decorating, finding the best gifts for others, and time with family and friends. She was lovingly known as Grandma Iowa to her grandkids and cherished her time with them. She fought Parkinson’s bravely and died Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, surrounded by her family, at Catholic Care Center in Bel Aire, Kans.

Kathy is survived by her husband James Simon, Des Moines; three children: Ellen (Evan) Borst of Maize, Kans., Benjamin (Danielle) Roling of Kearney, Mo., and Emily (Anthony) Zingale of Urbandale; and seven grandchildren she adored;  step-son, Timothy Simon, McKinney, Texas; sisters: Mary (Dennis) Cook of Kearey, Mo., Jane (Ray) Murray of Ames, Maureen (Ervin) Yahr of Decorah; and brother David (Brenda) McConnell of Decorah; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Irene; brother Thomas McConnell; and father-in-law, Harold Simon.

The family would like to thank Catholic Care Center and Good Shepherd Hospice for her care over the last several months. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Iowa Chapter or St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery in Kathy’s name. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.fjelstul.com