Mary Jo Simonsen

Mary Jo (Joan) Simonsen, 98, of Huntley died March 8, 2025.

She was born Dec. 6, 1926, in Kewanee, Illinois, to Joseph and Doris (Schoonover) Pyle. She married Gordon K. Simonsen on Aug. 31, 1947, in Kewanee, Illinois.

Mrs. Simonsen graduated from Bradley University and was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She worked in business before she stopped to raise a family. After her family grew up, she was a real estate agent in Wheaton, Illinois, and Michigan City, Indiana, for more than 20 years. She was a past member, officer and board member of AAUW, American Association of University Woman. She was a founding member of the Simeon Square Retirement Center, and past board member of Exchangettes Club, both in Michigan City, Indiana.

Mary Jo was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Her hobbies included the Red Hatters and playing bunco with the neighborhood community. She also volunteered at the Michigan City Boat Show for more than 25 years. She and Gordon enjoyed spending time in Door County where they had a home for many years.

She is survived by her three children, Holly (Frank) Candella, Rodney Simonsen and Todd (Maria) Simonsen; her grandchildren, Allison (Aaron) Nichols, Jonathan (Ashley) Klocke, Carolyn Klocke, Kaitlyn (Caleb Gruber) Simonsen, Stacia (Blair Downey) Simonsen, Jameson (Erik Merrill) Simonsen, David (Mary Ann Armatys) Rodriquez, Alexander Rodriguez, Amina (Neal Jacobs) McIntyre and Tanya (Colin Boyer) Candella; her great-grandchildren, Dominic, Cameron, Joshua, Jakob, Ava, Letty, Grant, Dahlia, Layla, Isla, Dresden, Esterya, MiYka, Mariah, Venessa and McKenzie (Aaron); and by her great-great-grandchildren, Bryton, Gwendolyn and Dawson.

Mary Jo is also survived by her sister, Barbara Rieder; nephews, Greg (Toni) Rieder and Drs. Jeffrey (Michele Medhurst) Fortman; and nieces, Stephanie (Dennis) Parsons and Michelle Rieder.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Doris Pyle; her husband, Gordon; sister, Glenda Fortman; brother-in-law, Donald Fortman; nephew, Shawn Fortman; brother-in-law, Tom Rieder; and her infant twin sister, Marion Janet.

Visitation will be on Monday, March 17, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley. There will be a viewing Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Huntley, followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Andrew Hatesohl officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Trinity Lutheran Church, Huntley; kingdomworkers.com; or Concordia Theological Seminary Ft. Wayne IN.

For further information, please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772, or online condolences may be directed to www.defiore funeral.com.