Mary Jo (Joan) Simonsen, 98, of Huntley died, March 8, 2025. She was born December 6, 1926 in Kewanee, Illinois, to Joseph and Doris (Schoonover) Pyle. She married Gordon K. Simonsen on August 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 over 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 over 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. By her great grandchildren, Dominic, Cameron, Joshua, Jakob, Ava, Letty, Grant, Dahlia, Layla, Isla, Dresden, Esterya, MiYka, Mariah, Venessa, McKenzie (Aaron), and by her great great grandchildren, Bryton, Gwendolyn and Dawson. Mary Jo also survived by her sister Barbara Rieder, nephews, Greg (Toni) Rieder and Drs. Jeffrey (Michele Medhurst) Fortman, 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 4-7 PM at DeFiore Funeral Home-10763 Dundee Road, Huntley. There will be a viewing Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 9:30 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Huntley, followed by the funeral service at 10:30 AM, 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.defiorefuneral.com
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I didn't know her that well but, I know that she was very special. Please accept my condolences.
The Klocke family want to express our sincerest condolences to everyone in the family. We have nothing but the fondest memories of Mary Jo. She is now reunited with Gordon.
Mary Jo was such a kind and friendly person. Always a great smile & good discussion whenever I saw her. Rest in peace 🙏
As I sit down to write this note; my heart is heavy with the weight of Mary Jo’s absence. It’s hard to believe that she will no longer be with us, and the reality of that loss is difficult to put into words. The visits were mostly holidays and birthday parties with long periods of time in between but none of that mattered once I saw her ready for a hug. Mary Jo and Gordon were more than just step-grandparents—they were a source of kindness, warmth, and wisdom in my life. From the very beginning, they welcomed me and my family with open arms, treating us not as a step-relative but as family, wholeheartedly and unconditionally. Mary Jo’s love was quiet but steady, always present in the little things—the thoughtful gestures, the warm hugs, the stories she shared that were filled with both wisdom, and laughter. I will miss her gentle smile, her comforting presence, and the way she made every gathering feel like home. She taught me that family is not just about blood but about love, acceptance, and the connections we nurture over time. For that, I will always be grateful. Though my heart aches knowing I won’t see her again, I find comfort in the memories we shared and the love she left behind. Her kindness and spirit will continue to live on in the lives she touched, and I will carry her love with me always. Oscar “David” Rodriguez, Mary Ann Armatys, Venessa D Rodriguez