Joseph Patrick Simons

Joseph Patrick Simons passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025 surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and fierce devotion to those he cared about. Joe was born May 12, 1942, in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Lucia Picha Simons and Francis Simons. Joe spent his early years in Lake City before moving to Brainerd, Minnesota, where he graduated from Brainerd High School in 1960. Joe treasured his summers, especially the 67 he spent at Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge in Deerwood, a place that always felt like his second home.

Joe met the love of his life, Sharon Raye Boyum, at Moorhead State, the "Harvard of the Midwest" where his TKE fraternity provided him with many friendships and a strong sense of brotherhood. Joe and Sharon married on September 1, 1967, and shared nearly 58 years together. Their journey began in Gary, Minnesota, where Joe served as head football coach and social studies teacher. Eventually, they settled in Crosby, Minnesota, where they raised their three children: Tricia, Chad, and Erika. Joe taught high school history, coached football and basketball, and became the unmistakable voice of the Crosby-Ironton Rangers as their longtime public address announcer. His signature line, "It's a great night to be a Ranger," wasn't just a saying. It was the way he lived.

Joe was especially proud to be inducted into the Crosby-Ironton Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2023, recognized for his years behind the microphone. He also earned his Master of Arts in Education from the University of St. Thomas, a reflection of his lifelong commitment to learning, teaching, and impacting the lives of students and athletes.

Joe had a gift for making people laugh and lived every day with a big heart and an even bigger personality. Whether skiing on Bay Lake, announcing Ranger games, or pulling his kids and eventually grandkids behind the boat for "just one more run," Joe threw himself wholeheartedly into the people and passions he loved. He had a way of making ordinary moments feel special and believed life was meant to be enjoyed and shared. A diehard Minnesota sports fan, Joe cheered endlessly for the Vikings, Twins, and Gophers. He believed deeply in faith, hard work, and finding a reason to smile. Joe loved a cold Coke, (his "nectar of the gods,") Rafferty's pepperoni pizza, and anything made from sugar. He also enjoyed slipping away to Brainerd for a McDonald's cheeseburger, a simple pleasure he never outgrew.

Joe spent many summers as the golf pro at Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, sharing his love of the game and making countless lifelong friends. In retirement, he was a friendly and familiar face at the Hallett Community Center in Crosby. Ever the jokester and community builder, Joe was a proud member of the self-proclaimed "Chunky Dunkers" swimmers, proving that life with him was always full of laughter and a little harmless mischief.

Joe's Christian faith was the foundation of his life. He was a devoted member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby, where his church family and faith community meant the world to him. He especially cherished his time with the "Men's Den," a brotherhood that brought him friendship, laughter, and spiritual encouragement. His faith shaped the way he loved and served others and remained a constant source of strength throughout his life.

Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Lucia, his sister, Barbara Simons Skone, and many dear friends. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sharon, daughter Tricia Boltmann and her husband Reed with grandsons Brock and Jake, son Chad Simons and his wife Dana with grandsons Owen, Blake, and Ben, and daughter Erika Savor and her husband Scott with grandson Grant. He also leaves behind countless friends, former students, and athletes whose lives he touched.

Joe will be remembered for his fun-loving spirit, his honesty, his superstitions, and his fierce loyalty as a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend. He truly loved his family and was endlessly proud of his six grandsons. He "really and truly" made a difference in this world.

GO! CI! GO!

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be at the Bay Lake Township Cemetery.