Leo Phillip Simet

Leo Simet was born July 26, 1941, in what was then a rural portion of Omaha, NE. He was brought into this world by a midwife inside of a turkey barn and was the seventh child of John and Clair. John was a farmer and, of course, that made all the kids farm workers. This would explain why Leo consistently got up at 3:50 am every morning. It would also explain why at the end of the day he could take a nap anywhere at anytime. He wanted more than farm life though. He was smart and was valedictorian of his class of ten. He never thought much of being the valedictorian since it was just a class of ten. After high school he entered the military and served his country. A test given by the military confirmed his high IQ, but he still never believed it. When he returned, he tried college, but liked to party too much so he was kindly asked to leave. He found his career by accident. Filling up his car with gas, he made small talk with a stranger named Ron. Ron convinced Leo to start a career as a sheet metal worker. It wasn’t long after that he met a beautiful woman named Monica. Their first date was a blind date that was set up by a mutual friend. Before long Monica and Leo were married and welcomed their first child, John William into this world. Five years later they had a daughter named Joey Lynn. Leo didn’t talk too much about his childhood, but he did pass on some useful skills to his own children. They learned how to fish, hunt, grow vegetables, hunt morel mushrooms, and find precious metals like gold and silver at garage sales for less than a dollar or even in the free box. He also taught them a strong work ethic by example. He was a union sheet metal worker for decades. It was hard and backbreaking work. Many times, he was on a roof for hours a day in the hot sun wearing his typical outfit of white t-shirt under a denim button up with jeans, suspenders, and Redwing boots sized seven and a half triple E. Despite the physical and mental demands of the job, he never missed a day except for his yearly turkey hunting and deer hunting weekend in Valentine, NE. Everyone loved Leo. There weren’t many places he would go without being recognized by someone. Always, they would greet him with a smile and start a conversation. It was hit or miss as to if he remembered their name, but that really didn’t seem to matter. People just liked being around him. He could even get away with unintentionally insulting them. It wasn’t really that he insulted people, he just delivered the unfiltered truth, but it never came off abrasive to anyone. Loved ones, friends, and acquaintances loved him for his honesty and expressive face. In what likely seemed like a blink of an eye to Leo, his kids grew up, got college degrees, and started families of their own. Right around the time he was ready to retire, he started a new profession, being a grandfather. Leo was a great sheet metal worker, but he was even better in his second career as a grandparent. The man had many nicknames: Lelo, Gramps, Pa-Pa, Bunny, to name a few. His grandchildren came fast and furious. First Natalie, Maya & Grace at once, and Victoria. Then came Elle, Davis, and finally Clark. What began as his little family of four had expanded threefold. He loved seeing his own kids, but nothing seemed to bring out his joy like the grandkids. Even after his health issues started to take hold, he still found a way to make it to his grandchildren’s activities. He also taught them about gardening and getting muddy doing it, gin rummy, and his favorite hobby, garage sales. Leo passed away on March 24, 2024, but the memories and lessons he shared with us during his long life continue to live on. He is survived by his lovely wife of almost 50 years, Monica (Sweetheart), his two children John and his wife Josette, Joey and her husband Brian; his seven grandchildren Natalie, Grace, Maya, Victoria, Elle, Davis, and Clark. A celebration of life service will be held Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 1 PM at Reichmuth Funeral Home, Elkhorn. Inurnment with military honors will take place Monday, May 6 at 10 AM at Omaha National Cemetery.

Leo Phillip Simet

July 26, 1941 - March 24, 2024