LaFonda Fay Simon Oct. 16, 1939 – April 23, 2025

      LaFonda Fay (Thielen) Simon, 85, of Monticello, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025, surrounded by family and love.

    Goettsch Funeral Home has taken LaFonda and her family into their care. A private burial will be held for immediate family followed by a celebration of life on Saturday, May 31. All those who wish to join are welcome to attend from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Monticello Eagles Club. Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.Goettschonline.com.

    LaFonda Fay (Thielen) Simon was born on Oct. 16, 1939, in Clinton, Iowa, to Otto and Lovelda (Smith) Thielen. She graduated from Sabula High School in 1957 as valedictorian of her class. LaFonda later attended the American Institute of Commerce in Davenport, completing the advanced secretarial course.

    On Sept. 25, 1960, LaFonda married Edward C. Simon of Savanna, Ill., at Calvary Lutheran Church in Sabula. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2010 before Edward passed away in March 2013.

    LaFonda worked as a secretary at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in Davenport from 1958-1960. In 1961, she started what would become a 48-year legacy with Cuckler Steel Span Company as an administrative assistant. Throughout the company’s evolution from Cuckler’s to Lear Siegler, Robertson-Ceco Corporation, Star Building Systems and NCI, LaFonda was a constant source of knowledge, event planning and taking care of anyone and anything that needed her attention until she retired in 2010.

    As a member, president and past president of the Monticello Business & Professional Women’s Club from the 1970s until the group disbanded in 1990, she was a dedicated advocate of advancing women in the workplace. She fostered her deep faith in God as a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Monticello for more than 60 years. She belonged to the Hope Church Circle and enjoyed the fellowship in the church’s senior dining program.

    LaFonda loved listening to bluegrass and classic country music, attending the Great Jones County Fair every summer, and visiting with her friends and family. Her generous spirit always shone through via greeting cards, simple gifts, or making more food than she needed so she could share it with others.

    LaFonda is survived and lovingly remembered by her son, Douglas (Lisa) Simon, and daughter, Karen Simon Hildebrand (Mike Smith); four grandchildren, Kelly (Jason) Williams, Brent Simon, and Cole and Riley Hildebrand; a great-grandson, Bodhi Williams; her sister, Nancy Von Thun; and nieces and nephews, Kathy (Pat) Rossett, Melanie (Mike) Galle, Scott (Tabby) Lewis, Charlotte (Mike) Peters, Steven (Marigrace) Von Thun and Laura Von Thun.

    She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Simon; parents, Otto and Lovelda Thielen; parents-in-law, Edward and Mildred Simon; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Lewis and Norma Zigler; brothers-in-laws, John Zigler, Wally Lewis, Stanley Von Thun; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

    The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the University of Iowa Hospital doctors, nurses and staff, and Compassus Hospice Care for the love, care and support they showed while caring for LaFonda.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in LaFonda’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Camp Courageous of Iowa.