Genevieve G. Simmons, age 89, died Sunday, July 18, 2010, at the White Healthcare Center in White, South Dakota. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at the United Methodist Church in White, with interment in Fairview Cemetery. Visitations will be from 5-7 P.M. Tuesday at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in White.

Genevieve Georgia (Halstead) Simmons was born September 25, 1920, at Brookings, South Dakota, the eldest child of Orlo T. and Edna M. (Lamster) Halstead. She completed her grade school at Sherman No. 105, and then attended the School of Agriculture at Brookings for her high school education.

On February 17, 1940, Genevieve married Russell W. Simmons in the home of his aunt and uncle at Ivanhoe, Minnesota. They then began farming southeast of White in Sherman Township. In 1942 they bought their farm two miles south and two miles east of White. They farmed there until they retired and moved into White 40 years later. Russell died November 18, 1997.

Genevieve was a member of the White Community Club and United Methodist Church. She was president of the UMW for several terms, and took an active part in all functions of the church.. She enjoyed volunteer work at the White Healthcare Center, flower gardening, and traveling. For many years she baked cakes for weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. .

Survivors include two daughters: Joyce (Michael) Stegeman of White, and Darlene (Jeff) Schulz of White; four grandchildren: Chad (Jolene) Schulz, Boyd (Andrea) Schulz, Rodd (Nicole) Schulz, and Dawn (Jason) Cook; seven great-grandchildren: Virginia and Amanda Cook, and Piper, Carter, Cody, Casey, and Tyrus Schulz; a brother: Orville (Beverly) Halstead, of Whiting, Iowa; and two sisters: LaVonne Aslesen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Garnet Brush of Tucson, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her husband; a grandson, Derrick Stegeman; and two sisters: Wanita and June.