Fred V. Simons II

Fred V. Simons II, age 70, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Stevens Point, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 17, 2024. He was a beloved husband to Anne Simons (née Beranek) for 44 years of marriage and loving father and grandfather to five children and 11 grandchildren.
Fred was born in Lansing, Michigan to the late Patricia and Fred Simons Sr. on April 24, 1954. He graduated from JFK Prep School in 1972 and went on to college at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in History with a Biology Minor. In college he joined the ROTC program and continued in the Army Reserves. During his college years he drove school bus and cleaned bars after hours. After college he drove city bus for Stevens Point and signed up for full active duty with the Army shortly before proposing to the love of his life in 1979. On June 21, 1980, he and Anne were married at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milladore, Wisconsin. In January of 1981 he was called up for a tour of duty at Fort Irwin Army Base in Barstow, California and served there from March 1981 until the fall of 1983. After returning to Wisconsin, he continued serving in the Army Reserves until retiring with the rank of Captain in July of 1996. Following his tour of duty in California, he continued driving city bus for Stevens Point for a time, followed by pizza delivery for grocery stores and also working side work for a contractor. He went back to college to add a teaching certificate to his degree and began substitute teaching, hoping for full time teaching. When a full-time teaching position didn't open up, he began driving pea and corn harvesters for Seneca Foods until retiring due to health reasons following the 2022 season. He was also driving school bus for Lamer's Bus Lines until 2022, which was probably his favorite of all his professions.
Fred was a wonderful father to his five children. He supported his children in all their endeavors with a lot of driving for extra-curricular activities. He made it to all the performances and events possible (only missing a very, very few) even into their adulthood. He continued to attend as many activities as he could of not only his children but also his grandchildren. He was their biggest fan and tried to make it to everything he could, even when his health was rocky.
His hobbies included building model tanks and trains, military history, reading, photography, music (including playing trumpet and singing in the church choir alongside his daughter, Becky), attending City Band concerts in the summer with his wife, Anne, and spending time with his grandkids.
He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his 11 grandchildren and was always disappointed when it was time for them to go home. Known affectionately as Daddy, Dad, Pa, Papa, and Grandpa, Fred was deeply loved and will be remembered for his unwavering support and dedication to his family.
Fred is survived by his loving wife, Anne, his children Becky (Nick Scherer), Fred III (Amanda), Kate (Jordan Wojtalewicz), Andrew (Amy), and Jedidiah (Denielle) and his grandchildren Dominic, Isaac, Sam, Abigail, Caroline, and Joseph Scherer; Ashlyn and Owen Wojtalewicz; Asher and Aspen Simons; and Avery Simons. He is also survived by three brothers and one sister (Michael, Steven, Patricia (Teetzen), and Peter), numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother, Terry, great-niece, Olivia, and his wife's parents, Joseph and Regina Beranek.
Visitation will be Friday, August 23, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the St. Faustina Room of St. Peter Catholic Church 800 Fourth Ave, Stevens Point with Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Church with Father John Potaczek officiating. A luncheon will follow downstairs in Kolbe Hall. Burial is not set at this time. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com