Mary Cecelia Simons

Mary Simons, 83, of New Hartford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at her home.

She was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, on September 28, 1942, the daughter of Linus and Ethel (Fitzpatrick) Neibauer. Mary grew up in and graduated from high school in Hampton prior to attending the Iowa State Teachers College (UNI), where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. On November 21, 1964, she married the love of her life, Larry Simons, in Hampton, and were blessed with three children. Mary taught preschool in New Hartford throughout most of her 53-year teaching career, retiring in 2017.

Beyond her love for teaching and her students, Mary’s greatest joy was her family. She would do anything for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she did. She did it all, from baking cookies to finding caterpillars, reading books to teaching manners and table etiquette, making birthday pictures and being at every single event. Mary loved watching each of them learn and grow.

Larry and Mary’s cabin in Minnesota has always been a special place for their family, where entire summers were filled with memories, laughter, and card games. From spending every summer there with her children to later sharing it with her grandchildren and their families, the cabin is a treasured family tradition. Mary’s love for her family was unmatched, and the love and memories she created will continue through generations.

Mary is survived by her children, Suzanne (Dan) Mohlis, Laura (Kent) Eiklenborg and Guy (Heather) Simons. Her grandchildren, Amanda (David), Griffin, Lincoln and Camden Weber; Mike (Alexa), Josie, Brooklyn and Summer Perez; Mackenzie Eiklenborg; Anna (Travis), Violet, Benjamin and Sylvia McBride; Si (Elli), Parker, Harvey and Ivan Eiklenborg; Abbie (Eric) Banwarth; Gabe (Kortney), Wells and Tatum Eiklenborg; Olivia (Jake) and Trev Schuman; Cole (Alexis) Simons; Zoey Simons; Legend Taylor; Ashley and Alex Mohlis; Kaitlin (Zack), Oliver and Piper Hilmer; and Jake (Shelby) Mohlis. Her siblings, Ed (Barb) Neibauer, Rita (Rich) Paxson and Dee (Ron) Schermer. Her sister-in-law, Rosalyn (Murrell) Symens. And her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Linus and Ethel Neibauer; husband, Larry Simons; and brother, Mark Neibauer; in-laws, Guy and Eva Simons, Arvon and Chrissy Simons, Lowell Simons, Delores and Junior Orr, and Newman and Jean Simons.

A visitation will be held from 4-7pm, Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls. Mary’s funeral will be at 9:30am, Monday, August 17, at St. Patrick Church in Cedar Falls, with visitation at 9am. Lunch will be provided from 11-1:30pm at DNH Community School in New Hartford (508 Beaver St), with Mary’s committal service to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in New Hartford.

Please visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences with the family.