Marc's first visit with his extended family in Albert Lea, MN.Marc's first visit with his extended family in Albert Lea, MN.
Roderic "Rod" John Simon, age 81, died on Monday, February 1, 2016 at Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.
Rod was born on December 23, 1934 in Lonsdale, MN to John and Martha (Herda) Simon. He was raised and received his education in Minnesota and following high school attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota.
Rod was united in marriage with Mary Mertz on October 22, 1960 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Paul, MN. The couple spent the next twelve years living and starting their family in Edina, MN. In 1973 the family moved to Watertown South Dakota where Rod began working with Midland National Life Insurance Company in their Marketing and Education Departments. When the company moved its home office from Watertown to Sioux Falls in 1977, Rod’s family made their home on the East Side of Sioux Falls. In 1983 Rod joined the South Dakota Credit Union League where he worked as director of marketing and education. He retired on January 1, 2000.
Rod was a devout Catholic and took his faith-life very seriously. He enjoyed spreading his faith with the children of the Church by spending many years teaching CCD classes. Rod also enjoyed dancing, going to the theatre, and the many bus trips throughout the country. He had a great sense of humor and was never shy about telling a joke or sharing a story. Above all he loved spending time with his family and friends. Rod was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend who will be greatly missed.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Mary Simon of Sioux Falls, SD; four children: Marta Belfrage, Sioux Falls, SD, Anne (Alan) Wieczorek, Sioux Falls, SD, Stephen (Kelly) Simon, Woodbury, MN and Gregory (Stacie) Simon, Edgington, IL; eleven grandchildren: Sarah (Seth) Honerman, Philip Belfrage, Meredith Belfrage, Lindsay Wieczorek, Mary Wieczorek, Jacob Simon, Lauren Simon, Joshua Simon, Marc Simon, Kylee Simon and Aydin Simon; one great-granddaughter, Robyn Honerman; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and a loving canine companion, Phoebe.
Rod is preceded in death by his parents, John and Martha Simon; sister, Juanita Tabor; and nephew Michael Klotz.