Carol Burgess Simmons, 83, a beloved daughter, mother, wife, sister, friend, and “Moppy,” passed away peacefully in her home on November 21, 2025 with her devoted husband Rodger and loyal dog Gracie by her side.
Carol was born August 13, 1942 in Saco, Maine to Vernon and Frances Edgecomb Burgess. Carol, her sister Dianne, and parents lived in the house her father built from trees hand-cut trees brought in by horse and sleigh. Carol’s mother lived in that house until she was 90 years old. Rodger and Carol’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and many other friends and family spent several summers in Maine, always staying in the Burgess family home.
Carol stayed in contact with many of her childhood friends and visited often. She loved taking her family around where she grew up and showing them all the good places to eat.
Carol graduated from Thornton Academy and was the head majorette. After graduation, she moved to Washington DC and met Rodger Simmons while they were both working for the FBI. The couple married on April 21, 1962, in Saco, Maine. They celebrated 63 years of marriage this year. Rodger and Carol moved to Bloomfield, Iowa after Jennifer was born.
In Bloomfield, they raised their two daughters. Carol babysat many children and also worked for the newspaper. She was very involved in her daughter’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s lives. Her grandchildren called her Moppy, and eventually most people referred to her as Moppy as well. Although her life mostly revolved around her family, she did have other hobbies. Carol loved the simple joys that made life special – playing cards and bingo, cooking and baking for friends and family, organizing and planning any event that needed her touch, cleaning with pride, and for 32 years, she cherished helping her daughter Jill at the Davis County Elementary School, always saying it gave her purpose and joy.
Carol loved making the holidays special for her family, always planning and preparing to make them perfect. Her family lovingly called her Christmas Carol because she made every holiday magical with warmth, joy, and unforgettable traditions.
Carol is survived by her husband Rodger Simmons; two daughters, Jennifer (Scott) Wilson of Marengo, Illinois, Jill (Jim) Nelson of Bloomfield, Iowa; six grandchildren, Tyler, Laura, Kassie, Paige, Dylan, Madeline; six great-grandchildren, London, Beckham, Theo, Alex, Warren, Wolfgang; and her sister, Dianne Burke of Maine.
Carol was preceded in death by her father in 1988, her mother in 2017, her father-in-law in 2019, and mother-in-law in 2021.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Mutchler Center on Saturday, November 29 from 2:00-7:00 p.m. Please stop by to share your favorite Carol stories. We will honor her with the things she loved most: family, playing cards, and, of course, Bingo! In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Community Church or Good Samaritan Society Hospice.
