Fay Simek

Fay R. Johnson was born to Hans and Emma (Einerson) Johnson near Scotland, August 2, 1934. She was the youngest of eight children. Fay passed away peacefully October 21, 2024.

Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Friday, October 25 at Goglin Funeral Home in Yankton. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 26 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Yankton. Interment will be at Czech National Cemetery, Tyndall.

Fay, her sister Alice and brother Elmer were outside during the summers often playing in water and mud. Their time was spent playing in a corn crib where one time it would be a beauty shop, other times a bakery and grocery store. Being the youngest children and close in age, they had a beautiful bond with each other all through the years and with their older siblings. Fay went to country school near Scotland and graduated from Scotland High School. Brother Elmer drove Fay and her good friend, Inez Wipf to a dance in Lesterville when she was 19 years old. It was there where she met Duane Simek during the bunny hop as the story goes and that’s when the courtship started. They went out for a date the next Sunday and the rest is history. Fay began working at Sacred Heart Hospital in housekeeping. She was a maid for six months, then began working in medical records. She often said she had loved that job. She lived in a small apartment very close to the hospital. She and Duane had been dating all this time then were united in marriage June 12, 1955. They lived in a small trailer on Duane’s parents farm Joe and Mildred Simek near Tyndall, SD. Duane was stationed in Germany with the US Army for 13 months, but when he returned home, they started their beautiful life together, which lasted for 34 years. Fay was a hardworking farm wife, making the best baked desserts, canned goods and with the help of Duane’s aunts would butcher broiler chickens; sometimes up to 1,000 chickens in one day. Later she worked two years at CR industries in Springfield, then Tyndall School for four years, retiring from the Tyndall Good Samaritan Home in Tyndall after 22 years. Fay moved to Yankton in 2004. Fay was a member of the Tyndall Presbyterian Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton. Fay loved to read many mystery novels. She loved to crochet and made many afghans and doilies for family. She dearly loved all her family and her many friends through the years. 

Preceding her in death was her husband, Duane whom she loved very much; her parents and siblings, Luella, Elsie, George, Alida, Mavis, Elmer, Alice and their spouses; her parents-in-law and a host of great friends. 

Fay is lovingly survived by her children, Peggy (Jeff) Metteer, Doug Simek and friend Sherrie, Karen Huitema, Brian Simek and Mike Huitema; grandchildren, Nikki (Mark) O’Donnell, Brad Metteer, Steve Metteer, Mike (Tami Jo) Simek, Amber (Tyler) Miller, Kristen Huitema and Tanna (KC) Herman; great-grandchildren, Denver, Tyler (Jodi), Brennan, Lilyana, Reed and Madelyne and great-great-grandson, Beckham, as well as many nieces and nephews.