Leone Fitzsimons

Leone C. Fitzsimons, age 97 of rural Darlington, WI passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at her home in rural Darlington. She was born June 10, 1924 in Woodbine, IL the daughter of Herman and Josephine (Hoppe) Koehn. Leone grew up in Schappville, IL where she graduated from Scales Mound High School in 1942 and later Bayless Business School in Dubuque, IA.In 1943 when she moved to Darlington and worked as a legal secretary for Wilford Boyle at Boyle and Boyle Law Offices in Darlington. On March 3, 1946, Leone married her best friend, Francis W. Fitzsimons at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Darlington. Following her marriage she was a longtime housekeeper for many families for 50 years and also worked at ITW Plant 3 for 8 years. Her favorite job was working at John and Myra Taylor's at his hydroponic tomato greenhouse until her retirement in 2004. Leone is survived by her children: Rose Marie Hess of Warren, IL, Ellen Frances Crosby of Darlington; Elmer Leo (Karen) Fitzsimons of Des Moines, IA, and Patrick Charles (Terri) Fitzsimons of Potterville, MI; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Francis in 1980; one son: William H. Fitzsimons in 2018; three sisters: Marguerite (Giardie) Hodgen, Lucile (Francis) Andrews, and Vera (Henry) Geilenfeldt; and one brother: Harlan (Edith) Koehn. Leone was a member of Darlington American Legion Auxiliary. Her family meant the world to her and she absolutely adored her grandchildren and cherished the memories they created together. She had a kind gentle soul - one that will be missed dearly by her family and friends. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Erickson Funeral Home (508 Park Place, Darlington) with Rev. Nick McElrath of First Baptist Church in Darlington officiating. Burial will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Truman, WI. A visitation will be held Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Leone's name.