Marlene Lantz Simmons

Marlene Joyce Lantz-Simmons, 89, of Williamsburg, peacefully left her earthly body on the evening of Thursday, September 8, 2022, joining her youngest son, Stephan and her husband James to be with their Heavenly Father.

Marlene was born with a camera in one hand, and a telephone receiver in the other. She and James met in their home state of South Dakota, and started their lives together in the New Underwood area. She settled in Williamsburg after her husband James was stationed at Langley Field. She would stay home to raise their three children and later craft her own businesses: Country Baskets by Simmons with her son, Stephan, and a consignment shop featuring local artisans.

Marlene was a long-time member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, followed by King of Glory Lutheran Church.

Ever-busy and always social, Marlene was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was involved in many community clubs as well as school clubs for her children. She was a master of card games, and loved hosting themed parties and “open houses” to bring people together. Weekend family trips and picnicking were always favorites. Marlene could always come up with activities for kids and loved teaching them every chance she got. She would joyfully spend the summer months teaching her children and grandchildren. Late in the evenings, the aroma of her famous cake mix cookies would fill the room as card players tried their hands at Rummy.

Marlene was very crafty; sewing clothes for her kids and dolls. She always thought of others and valued connections and community. In addition, she was a staunch advocate for her late son Stephan, with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A moderate shop-a-holic, she was always on the hunt for things to buy for someone else to enjoy.

Her love of family and friends lead her to become the family historian, taking pictures and keeping mementos to create scrapbook binders for all to enjoy and learn something new. She also collected recipes galore.

She should’ve bought stock in Post-It notes and Sharpie markers; the medium chisel tip, to be precise!

Now that Marlene has laid down the phone receiver for one last time, the house has become a lot quieter. No one was a better hostess. Everyone was family to her. She’d keep everyone on their feet in conversation by throwing unexpected zingers met with that ever-cheeky smile of hers.

Marlene was preceded in death by James Simmons (husband), Stephan Simmons (son), Clifford Lantz (brother), Marlys Clutter (sister), Kay Fletcher (sister), Harold and Ilene (Myers) Lantz (father and stepmother), and Florence (Clements) Lantz (birth mother). Florence married Harold on March 19, 1932, and of that union, two children, Marlene Joyce and Marlys Jean, were born.

Survivors include her son, Michael (Nancy) Simmons; daughter, D’Onna Simmons; grandchildren, Heather (Jeremy) Manalo and Jake Bynum; great-grandchildren, Eli and Asher Manalo (Heather); brother, JR (Trudi) Lantz; sisters, Carol (Steve) Johnson, Nancy (Lanny) Hrabe, Sharon (Rollin) Smith, and Vickie (Dan) Dykes; as well as numerous nieces/nephews and great-nieces/nephews.

Services will be held Monday, September 19, 2022, at 2:00 pm in the Memorial Garden at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4897 Long Hill Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188, with fellowship following the service.

Memorial Contributions may be sent in Marlene’s name to Hospice House of Williamsburg, 4445 Powhatan Pkwy., Williamsburg, VA 23188 or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at cff.org/donate.