Margaret “Toots” Simms Allen, 91, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Highland Hills Care Center in Pocatello, ID.
Margaret was born Jan. 4, 1922 to Charles and Ethel Simms in American Falls. The family moved to Roy, ID, when she was six years old. She had the responsibility of milking a cow every morning at that young age. She started school at Mountain View in Roy. The family moved in her eighth grade year to South Pleasant Valley where she went to school out there. They then moved out on Lamb Weston Road. Margaret was responsible for milking four to five cows then she would ride a horse three miles to the school in Pleasant Valley, put her horse in a barn and stoke the fire so the school could warm up for the children. She then walked 2.5 miles to the bus stop where she would ride into American Falls to go to high school. After school she would clean the Pleasant Valley School before returning to her chores at home.
She graduated in 1940 and began working for her uncle Clell Hansen when she met Vern Allen. They were married in Dillon, MT, on Oct. 10, 1940. They farmed out on Lamb Weston Road for a short time, before moving to Pocatello when Vern became employed for the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1947 they returned to American Falls. They lived out on Lamb Weston Road, before buying their home on South Frontage Road, American Falls. This home was where she raised all her children and lived for 65 years.
Margaret was a loving mother and grandmother. She knitted and crocheted afghans and many other items for all of her children and grandchildren. Mom was a wonderful cook. Her pies and fried chicken were always a must have at all family reunions and gatherings.
Mom is survived by her daughters, Echo Mock (Chuck, deceased) of Pocatello, ID, Mary Ellen Queen (Herman), Pingree, ID, Tamara Cleveland (Allan), Idaho Falls, ID, Toni Allen (Jim Selvera), Evanston, WY; 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Bob Simms and Don Simms.
She was preceded in death by her husband Vern in 1989; son, Vernon Charles Allen in 1997; parents, Charles and Ethel Hansen Simms; brother, Kenneth Simms, and sister, Helen “Dolly” Moss. We would like to thank Highland Hills and Alliance Hospice for the care and compassion they showed our mother.
The visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, and on Thursday, June 27, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Davis-Rose Mortuary, 170 Idaho St., American Falls, ID. A short service will be held at 11 a.m. at the mortuary with a committal following at the Falls View Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.davisrosemortuary.com.
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