Edwin Simmons, 82, of Rugby, formerly of York, ND,  died Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby.  Funeral services will be Saturday, January 28, 2012,  10:30 AM at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds, with Pastor Richard Budd officiating.  Burial will be in the York Cemetery at York.  Visitation will be Saturday at the funeral home, an hour before the service.

Edwin (Buddy) Simmons was born September 10, 1929, to John and Ada Simmons.  The family resided on a farm west of York.  He attended school in York, farmed with his father and hauled coal.  Ed later worked at Rugby Livestock for Ken Solberg and then for Theil Livestock till he retired due to ill health.  He moved to Rugby and later to the Heart of America Long Term Care, living there until his death.

Ed was a spirited person and liked being on the farm.  He was the happiest driving his tractor to York for his mail, coffee at the York Farmers Union and catching up on the latest news.   Ed drove his tractor everywhere unless he walked many miles and then would catch a ride from friends along the way.  This is how he got to Rugby, never missing a day of work.  Ed was a quiet person, but if you mentioned sports, he could "talk your arm off" as he listened to all high school, college and pro sports.

Ed is survived by his nephews:  Ken and Ron Fairweather and  Gary and Larry Mundahl. Preceding him in death were his parents;  brothers:  James and Hugh Simmons;  sisters:  Violet Fairweather and Edith Mundahl.   Ed will be greatly missed.