Barbara Simmonds

Barbara Jayne (Dodendorf) Simmonds was born on November 2, 1951 in Fremont, Nebraska to Jack and Lois (Preister) Dodendorf. She grew up in Columbus and Omaha, attending St. Bonaventure and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic, then graduated from Mercy High School in 1969. Barb went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. As a young girl, she enjoyed all sports, but excelled at softball. While in college, she played softball as a 2nd and 3rd baseman and was a player on the 1975 Collegiate National Champion Softball team. Barb enjoyed music, especially playing the piano and was a very talented artist. Barb married Bud (Frank) Simmonds on September 2, 1977; had their marriage blessed at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Ames, IA. Barb and Bud were blessed with four daughters and cared for more than seventy foster children throughout their marriage. They raised their family in Ames, IA and Omaha, NE before settling in Elkhorn, NE in 1986. Early in her career, Barb was a Physical Education teacher at Mary Our Queen Catholic School. Later, she and her sister Jean Doyle ran their own nail salon for several years while Barb co-owned West Lanes Bowling Alley for over 31 years. She enjoyed shopping and many forms of arts and crafts: crocheting, needlepoint, calligraphy and sewing. Barb loved going to the movies and hosted her annual Oscar Party. She was an avid husker fan, enjoyed filet mignon, a glass of red wine, and dinner out at Farmer Brown’s. Barb was active in her Catholic faith and served as an EME as well as a master catechist. She and her husband taught religious formation and marriage prep classes. Barb was proud of her foster family; she and Bud served as president of the Foster/Adoptive Parents Association for the Omaha Chapter. Barb was incredibly loving, giving, and selfless. Her favorite reply was “love you more” and will be remembered by many. Barb passed away at the age of 62, on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, NE with her family at her side. She was preceded in death by her father Jack, sister Jeri Ostronic, and brother-in-law John Doyle, Sr. Barb is survived by her husband Deacon Bud; children Nicole (Nikki) and Shane McDonald (CO), Elizabeth Simmonds (OR), Julie and James Hoff, Margaret (Maggie) Simmonds, Tyler J. Simmonds, Dillon J. Simmonds, Daniel (Danny) A. Sird, and Matthew S. Sird; seven grandchildren; mother Lois Koelzer; siblings Larry and Mary Phillips, Diane Dodendorf (NM), Jean K. Doyle, Laurie and Paul Simon, Jack and Nancy Dodendorf, Jr. and James and Andrea Maverick (FL); numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and family friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Barbara Simmonds

November 2, 1951 - September 30, 2014