Dolores Ann (Hilderman) Simons

Dolores was born to Elizabeth (Behm) and Charles Hilderman on August 31, 1938 in Hardin, MT, the ninth of eleven children. The family followed their father’s agricultural work from Hardin to Laurel to Park City and finally Columbus where they settled in 1953. Dolores attended schools in Laurel, Park City, and Columbus and graduated with the Columbus High School Class of 1957.

She met (Earl) Dean Simons in Columbus. They were married on June 13, 1959 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Columbus, following his return from the Korean War. They then honeymooned in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They lived in Columbus for some years before moving to Ryegate, where they operated the Corner Bar. They had 4 children: Barbara (’60), Pam (’63), Kathy (’64), and Jim (’65). In the summer of 1975 the family moved to Park City. There Dolores joined her sisters in the operation of and cooking for the Park City Truck Stop Café for many, many years. She and Dean then owned and operated D&D Service Clean for several years and moved to Columbus to be closer to their business accounts. Following their retirement in 2011 they settled in Laurel where she remained until her passing.

Dolores was a wonderful cook, preparing all sorts of German dishes for her family. In addition, the family favorites were cabbage rolls, taco salad, and pan eclairs. She relished baking, and whenever her grandchildren visited she had cookies at the ready and/or sent home with them, no matter how old they were. She was an avid knitter, making afghan blankets, sweaters, scarves, hats, and other small items for immediate and extended family and special friends. She thoroughly enjoyed playing bingo, Scrabble, crosswords, and other word games. She especially loved lively board games and card games around the table after holidays and family gatherings. She attended United Methodist Church in Laurel for many years, and loved country music and dancing. Following Dean’s passing, Dolores became very independent and delighted in her little apartment and her neighbors at the retirement complex. She was a very involved member of the Park City Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion. She faithfully attended meetings, served funeral dinners, and helped to decorate military graves in preparation for the yearly Memorial Day Services at the Park City Cemetery. How ironic and fitting, that the lady that lovingly made thousands of paper poppies should pass on the 76th anniversary of D-Day, joining her own soldier in heaven.

Dolores is survived by her four children: Barbara Raiha of Columbus, Pam Simons Refsland of Billings, Kathy Simons of Billings, and Jim Simons (Cyndy) of Laurel; seven grandchildren: Christan Hogg (Tyson), Jennifer O’Brien (James), Justine Essex (TJ), Jordan Simons, Haylee Refsland, Jarred Simons (fiancé Lauren Park), and David Refsland; three great-grandchildren: Maddison O’Brien, Zachary O’Brien, and Jaxon Hogg; sisters: Mondy Marchinek, Marlene Grubs (Calvin), and Judy Davis, all of Laurel; brothers and sisters-in-law; Richard Simons, Larry Simons (Dee), and Jerry Simons (Betty) all of Park City and Dave Weiss of Three Forks. She also had numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded by her parents, her husband, Dean, of 57 years; brothers Harry, Ben, and Robert Hilderman; sisters Dorothy Vogel Schank, Martha Frank, Pat Williams, and Loretta Kraft; son-in-law Marvin Raiha; great-grandson Aiden O’Brien; and numerous sisters and brothers in law of the combined Simons and Hilderman families.

Cremation has taken place. Graveside Services will be held at the Park City Cemetery at 11:00am on Saturday, June 20, 2020. Memorials may be made to the Park City Ladies Auxiliary, the Park City American Legion, or the charity of one’s choice.