Opal Simonet

Opal McCall Simonet passed away on January 9, 2012. Her 98 years were filled with love of family and her savior Jesus Christ, a full professional life, and many happy and memorable times. Opal was born on November 11, 1913 to Ronzo and Stacey McCall in Argonia, Kansas. Growing up in the heart of Kansas wheat country instilled in her a deep seeded understanding of the rewards from close family ties, the need for and benefits of hard work and a dedication to strong beliefs. After graduating high school, she went on attend Wichita State University. While at University where she met the love of her life, Julius George Simonet. Julius and Opal were married on March 31, 1936. They began married life in El Dorado, Kansas. Mike and Suzanne were born in 1941 and 1943. In 1951, they moved to Manitou Springs, Colorado to raise their family. Opal worked her professional career as the office manager for the El Paso County Mental Health Office. She retired in 1979. She continued to live in her home in Manitou Springs until 2005, when she move to an assisted living facility in Loveland, Colorado to be near Suzanne. During her life, she enjoyed church, family, and traveling with friends. Returning to Kansas was always a high priority for her. She served in many leadership positions at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Manitou Springs where she had been a member for more than 60 years. She was preceded in death by Julius, her parents, her brother Ray, and her sister Venita. She is survived by Mike and his wife Louise of Plymouth Minnesota, and by Suzanne and her husband Darell Zimbelman of Windsor, Colorado. There are 4 grandchildren, Susan Simonet, James Simonet, Douglas Zimbelman, and Erick Zimbelman. There are 12 great-grandchildren between18 and 2. A memorial service will be held at the St Andrews Episcopal Church (800 Manitou Ave.) in Manitou Springs on Thursday, January 12 at 1:00 pm. Ashes will be interred next to Julius at the Crystal Valley Cemetery in Manitou Springs.