Monica Ann Simmons Blanck, 89, of New London, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Park Place Elder Living in Mount Pleasant, under hospice care, surrounded by her loving family.
Monica was born on July 16, 1935, in North English, Iowa, to Frank and Margaret LaRue Rhoades Simmons. On Dec. 29, 1956, she married the love of her life, Gary L. Blanck, at the New London United Methodist Church.
She was a proud 1953 graduate of New London High School and the Burlington Hospital School of Nursing. As a lifelong registered nurse, Monica worked at the MHI in Mt. Pleasant, then for 25 years worked as an office nurse for Drs. H. M. Readinger and William Vaughan in New London, retiring in 2000. Monica was also deeply committed to her community having served on the board of the Dover Historical Society. She had a keen interest in restoration, spending much of her life remodeling homes with her husband with more than twenty of those throughout New London. She and Gary loved to travel and one of her favorite traditions was traveling to Coin-Op shows in Chicago. When Gary was on the fire department, Monica took classes to become part of the women’s auxiliary.
Monica is survived by her husband of New London; daughters Tammy Watts (Mark Pugh) of Danville and Julie (Kory) Lindell of New London; grandchildren Spencer (Jena) Watts, Layne (Travis) Luttenegger, Miranda (Josh) Gray, and Baylee (Spencer) Lindell Schneier; five great-grandchildren, Lilly, William, and Henry Luttenegger, and Kainen and Kooper Watts; and two nephews, William (Izzy) Simmons and Ed (Winnie) Simmons.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother William; son-in-law Steve Watts; nephew Andrew Simmons; and great-niece Valerie Simmons.
The family will greet friends from 9 to 11 a.m., Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Elliott Chapel, New London, with a Celebration of her life beginning at 11 a.m. Private family inurnment at Burge Cemetery will be at a later date. Memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice and Park Place Elder Living. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.