John Hagen Simmons

John H. Simmons, 84, of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon following a short illness. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, July 7th, at 11:00 AM at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 AM until time of services at the funeral home on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Veterans Memorial Hospital, Robey Memorial Library, or the Veterans Museum, all in Waukon. The service will also be livestreamed on the funeral home's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/martinfunerals

John Hagen Simmons was born October 26, 1941, the son of Mabel (Hagen) and Karl Simmons in Waukon. He grew up on the family dairy farm in southwest Waukon. John was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ, graduated from Waukon High School in 1960, where he was active in plays and band, and attended the University of Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 – 65 as military police stationed in Ethiopia. While off duty, he played saxophone in a jazz band and liked visiting the Red Sea.

After being discharged, John moved to Boston and worked as a member of the Inhalation Therapy team at Massachusetts General Hospital. John returned to Waukon in 1988 to help manage the family farm.

He was a life member of the American Legion and served on the Robey Memorial Library board as well as on the local Historical Society. John was active in the Republican Party and the Switzerland of Iowa Harmonizers Barbershop chorus. Of special note, he performed in the American Legion lawn chair drill team.

John was preceded in death by his parents Karl and Mabel; a sister Marian (Herbert) Sargeant; and a nephew Jeff. He is survived by a niece Heather Sargeant and numerous first cousins.