Rebecca Lynn Simon

Rebecca Lynn (Ware) Simon, 76, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026, of cardiac arrest. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. A private burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. Be a-Ware of the Ashworth Road closure.

She was born August 8, 1950, in Des Moines, to Mildred and Irvin Ware. Rebecca graduated from Roosevelt High School before attending Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree, Magna Cum Laude. In addition, she earned a Master of Science in Education from Drake University.

Rebecca’s specialty was the French horn. She was privileged to study under Dr. Don Loman in Des Moines. One of the highlights of Becky’s young life was attending the Interlochen Arts Festival Orchestra for three summers, where she studied with Marvin Howe. She also attended the Aspen Music Festival and studied with Philip Farkas.

Rebecca played in numerous groups and ensembles in Des Moines, including the Des Moines Municipal Band (“Under the Stars”), Des Moines Horn Club, the Des Moines Playhouse Orchestra, the Arcadia Wind Quintet and the Al Ford Brass. She also played in the First Assembly, First Baptist, First Federated, Grandview Park Baptist, St. Pius and the Basilica of St. John church orchestras.

Rebecca began her career teaching middle school band in Taylor, Michigan, and then came to the Des Moines Public Schools where she taught for another 40 years. The schools where she was Band Director were Brody Middle School, Franklin Junior High, Monroe, Park Avenue, Wright, and Jefferson Elementary Schools. She also taught at McCombs and Hoyt Middle Schools. Her husband, Joseph, was a band director as well, and they often collaborated in their teaching careers.

Rebecca loved decorating her home for the seasons. She had a fine-tuned sense of humor and brought joy with her wherever she went. She truly loved her Hawkeye Joe. She doted on her two dogs, Koko and Pixie. Becky enjoyed family gatherings and devoted a great deal of time caring for her family members in their senior years.

Rebecca was blessed to be born into a multigenerational Salvation Army Family. Her family, and especially her remarkable mother, gave her the guidance and inspiration to love the broken and the unloved. Alongside many members of her family, Becky supported the Salvation Army, especially by sharing her gift of music. From an early age, she generously used her musical talent to inspire others and to further its mission.

Rebecca is survived by her loving husband, Joseph Roy Simon, whom she married in December 1990. She is also survived by her uncle, Marlin Lutz, cousins Nancy Sortino, Lori Ruppe, and Sandy Sullivan and family. In addition, she is survived by members of the Ware family in Bloomfield, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents, seven aunts, one uncle, and four cousins.

Any memorials in her name may be sent to the Salvation Army or a charity of the giver’s choice.