Grace Genevieve Simon

LEWISTON, MINN. - Grace Genevieve Simon, 95, of Lewiston, Minn. died on Sunday, July 19, 2009, at the Rochester home of her daughter following a brief illness. Grace was born on October 17, 1913, in Arcadia, Wis. to Peter and Anna (Przybilla) Pierzina. She was raised in Arcadia, attended Arcadia High School. She graduated from Buffalo County Normal and then taught until she married Gerald J. Simon on September 25, 1937, in North Creek, Wis. Grace and Gerald settled in St. Paul, Minn. where she worked as a beauty operator. Grace and Gerald later farmed in the Fremont, Minn. area where they raised their three children. She attained her bachelor's degree from Winona State College and taught in the Lewiston area. Grace and her husband moved to Lewiston in 1973. She was a member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church where she participated in the Women's Circle and volunteered as Education Coordinator for many years. Grace and Gerald were Winona County Fair royalty in 1988. Grace had been active in PTA and was a 4-H leader. She was a member of the Lewiston Flower Society, Homemaker's Club and Fremont Sunshine Club. Grace belonged to the Lewiston Villa volunteer association and played the organ for Catholic services there. Grace enjoyed her grandchildren, gardening, painting, and other artistic endeavors. Grace is survived by three children: Audrey Costello of Rochester, Minn., Yvonne Randall of Hampton, Virginia, and Jerry P. (Judy) Simon of Minnesota City, Minn.; two sisters-in-law: Pelchie Pierzina of Arcadia, Wis., and Dolores Simon of Webster City, Iowa.; ten grandchildren: Lisa (Kiva) Costello, Cheryl Costello, Thomas (Mary Kay) Costello, Mary Costello, Linda Sarkar, Krista (Donald Jr.) Moyer, Richard (Nancy) Randall, Elizabeth Randall, Michelle (Steve) Sitta, Melissa Simon and fifteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters: Mary Jurowski, and Gertrude Giezma; three brothers: Raymond, Ernest, and Emil; and two sons-in-law: John T. Costello, and Richard D. Randall. There will be a Funeral Mass for Grace at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston, Minn. with the Rev. Marreddy Pothereddy officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the church, and one hour prior to the Funeral Mass on Wednesday at the church. Please leave a memory of Grace, sign her online guestbook, and view her tribute video when it becomes available online at www.hofffuneral.com Hoff Funeral Homes - Lewiston Chapel is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/79732