Fred V. Simons II, 70
Fred V. Simons II, 70, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.
Simons was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, having shared 44 years of marriage with his wife, Anne Simons (née Beranek). He was a devoted father to five children and a cherished grandfather to 11 grandchildren.
Born on April 24, 1954, in Lansing, Mich., Simons was the son of the late Patricia and Fred Simons Sr. He graduated from JFK Prep School in 1972 and earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. During his college years, he joined the ROTC program and later served in the Army Reserves.
Simons’ early years were marked by hard work, including driving a school bus and cleaning bars after hours. After college, he drove a city bus in Stevens Point before enlisting for full active duty in the Army. He proposed to Anne in 1979, and the couple married on June 21, 1980, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milladore.
In January 1981, Simons was called up for a tour of duty at Fort Irwin Army Base in Barstow, Calif., where he served until the fall of 1983. He continued his service in the Army Reserves until retiring as a captain in July 1996.
After his military service, Simons returned to Stevens Point, where he worked in various roles, including city bus driver, pizza delivery driver, and contractor assistant. He also returned to school to earn a teaching certificate, hoping to secure a full-time teaching position. When that didn’t materialize, he worked as a substitute teacher and later drove pea and corn harvesters for Seneca Foods until health issues forced his retirement after the 2022 season. He also drove a school bus for Lamer’s Bus Lines until 2022, a job he particularly enjoyed.
A dedicated father, Simons was deeply involved in his children’s lives, attending nearly all of their performances and events, even into their adulthood. He extended this commitment to his grandchildren, attending as many of their activities as possible.
Simons had a passion for building model tanks and trains, military history, reading, photography, and music. He played the trumpet and sang in the church choir alongside his daughter, Becky. He also enjoyed attending City Band concerts with his wife.
In addition to his wife, Anne, Simons is survived by his children, Becky (Nick Scherer), Fred III (Amanda), Kate (Jordan Wojtalewicz), Andrew (Amy), and Jedidiah (Denielle); 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, Michael, Steven, and Peter, and one sister, Patricia Teetzen, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother, Terry, his great-niece, Olivia, and his wife’s parents, Joseph and Regina Beranek.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, at 9 a.m. in the St. Faustina Room of St. Peter Catholic Church, 800 Fourth Ave., Stevens Point. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m., with Father John Potaczek officiating. A luncheon will be held afterward in Kolbe Hall. Burial arrangements are pending.
Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. Online condolences may be offered at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.