James "Jim" D. Simmer

James “Jim” D. Simmer, 66, a lifelong resident of Wamego, KS, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Kansas City Hospice House. Jim was born in Wamego, Kansas on July 11, 1942, the son of Frank J. and Cecelia F. (Umscheid) Simmer. He attended Wamego Grade School and Wamego High School. On October 16, 1965, he married Lena M. Tessendorf at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Wamego. She survives of the home. Jim worked for a few years at Paul’s Gas Service in Wamego, before owning and operating the Simmer Floral shop in Wamego from 1971 until 1988. He was a past member of the Kansas Florist Association, the Wamego Jay-C’s, Wamego Chamber of Commerce, served on the Wamego Recreation Commission for many years, coached many little league baseball teams, and volunteered to be the Wamego Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus many times. Jim was instrumental in getting the 4th of July carnival to Wamego and helped lead the Wamego city swimming pool expansion project. He was honored by being given the Wamego Citizen of the Year Award in 1983. He refused to live within his limitations. Jim enjoyed attending youth sporting events, fishing and cooking. He had a rare sense of humor that appealed to everyone, and he never knew a stranger. His survivors include his wife, Lena Simmer, of Wamego, KS; his son, Darin Simmer (Scott Denny) of Phoenix, AZ; two daughters, Dyan Simmer (Jason Baldwin) and Nikki Horton (Matt) all of Wamego, KS; three brothers Robert “Bob” Simmer, John Simmer, and Bill Simmer, all of Wamego, KS; one sister, Donna Jean Johnson, of Wamego, KS; and five grandchildren, Daryn, Cory, McKenzie, Tre`, and Lane. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jerry Simmer, and two sisters, Joan Simmer, and Betty Jensen. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 11, 2009 at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Mr. Simmer will lie in-state at the Stewart Funeral Home beginning at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, where the family will gather and greet friends during a visitation from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. A private burial will be held in Wamego City Cemetery. Memorials will be designated later and may be made in Jim’s name, left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, P.O. Box 48, 66547.