Charlotte A. Simons

Charlotte A. (Wood) Simons was born on August 23rd, 1934, in Chicago, IL to Dr. Willard and Edith Wood. While she was growing up, her family traveled between 3 homes: in Chicago, in Florida, and on the Chain of Lakes in Spread Eagle. She played basketball in high school, and although she didn’t consider herself a musically inclined person, she could throw down on the piano and clarinet. In the summers of her youth, on the Chain at Spread Eagle, she rode around on a pontoon boat, or which she called the “Party Barge.” She said it was big enough to hold a piano, (no really, it had a piano on it that she played), or she could be seen cruising around in her pink convertible, “Pinkie.” Always on the go, she would arrive at the Svecia club late for dinner, and she considered it a badge of honor when the elders clinked their glasses in disapproval. She received her Master’s Degree in Education and taught in various locations before teaching 1st grade at Woodland Elementary. Char dearly loved her students and could remember most of their names years later. Crayon eaters can rest comfortably knowing their secret is now safe. As a 4 H instructor, she taught knitting, and her knitting stitches were perfection. She continued to knit and sew throughout her life. She was a voracious reader and was well known at the Dickinson County Library, averaging about one mystery novel every other day. Pets were always welcomed at her house, and she recently adopted a cat from the wonderful organization, Barn Buddies. The cats, Cora and Dilly, will be kept in Char’s family. Watching the Green Bay Packers with her son, his wife, and granddaughters was something she looked forward to. We wanted the Green Bay Packers to be her pallbearers, so they could let her down one more time. It is hard to believe that her beloved Cubs were the team that won the last championship of all of her favorite teams. Char, or Gramma, was the Badwater Ski-Ters Waterski Show Team biggest fan, and she rarely missed a show. She had no qualms about telling the show directors (son and granddaughters) what she did or did not like about the show, and we thank her for that. She made the shows even better. Char and her friend Mary started the juried Spread Eagle, Wisconsin Art Show, “Art Show in the Woods.” It was the very first art show in the area. Retirement, after of 30 years of teaching, was followed by a second career as a webmaster for Exploring the North. She worked up until her death as a web-master, and she never was one to believe the stereotype that the elderly and technology did not mix. She is on her way to reunite with those who have passed on: her parents, Willard and Edith; her younger sister, Vivian; and many cat, dogs and one caiman waiting for her on the rainbow bridge. She is missed by her sons, Jim Martin (wife Jeneen) and Dave Martin (wife Donna); daughter, Sally Carlson (husband Dan); granddaughters, Dr. Nicole Martin and Halee Martin; and her best dog friend, Echo. A private graveside ceremony will be held Wednesday and in lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in her name to the Almost Home Animal Shelter. Condolences to the family of Charlotte A. Simons can be made online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Charlotte A. Simons

August 23, 1934 - March 22, 2020