Nina Rae Call Simmons

Nina Rae Call Simmons

1933 ~ 2024

Nina Rae Call Simmons, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, died peacefully on May 27, 2024, at the age of 91, while residing in the Spring Gardens Assisted Living facility in Lindon, Utah. She was born in Rigby, Idaho on January 20, 1933, and was the third child and first daughter of Arch Glenn Call and Vilate Ballantyne Call.

Having grown up in rural Idaho and after graduating from Rigby High School in 1951, Nina moved to Salt Lake City where she attended Salt Lake Business College and sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In her spare time she trained at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. During that time Nina met Darwin Simmons when they were set up on a blind date by mutual friends. After an eventful courtship and engagement, they were married in Elko, Nevada, on June 15, 1956, and were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 1, 1970. Together they had three daughters and she also became the stepmother to Darwin’s four sons whom she loved dearly.

Shortly after their marriage Darwin and Nina moved to Chico, California, where he, along with his parents and brother, Ed, became cattle ranchers and then almond growers. Nina helped herd cattle on horseback and mend canvases in the front yard with her sewing machine for the almond orchards. When Darwin was 52, they sold the orchards and he was able to semi-retire early.

Nina was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and after Darwin was converted and joined the church and then retired, they started their long career of serving the members and community there in Chico and the surrounding area. This included starting and managing a food storage distribution company where they were able to buy in bulk and sell the products to those interested at cost. They served a mission in the Salt Lake City Genealogy Center and a mission in the public relations offices for Northern California as well as many other church callings. After being released from their over three-year mission in public relations, Nina continued to serve in that capacity on a ward, stake and regional level. During this time, she fostered enduring relationships with members of the media, especially the Chico Enterprise Record and served on the Chico Interfaith Council. While at the beginning she experienced some opposition to her serving on the council from a couple of other members, she eventually won them over and ultimately served as president of the council. Nina always represented the LDS Church well and was respected for her example of service, dependability and being able to get things done.

In 2014, Darwin and Nina moved to Lehi, Utah, to be closer to their daughters. With the purchase of a home in Ivins, Utah, the following year, they were able to spend several years as snowbirds enjoying the beauty of both southern and central Utah.

Throughout her life, Nina was an excellent wife, mother, homemaker, bookkeeper, seamstress, and cook. She was known for her amazing Parker House and butterflake rolls, homemade bread and delicious pies. She sewed most of her girls’ clothes as they were growing up as well as the beautiful, finely detailed clothes for their Barbie dolls — skills she passed along to her daughters. Nina never really sat still for very long and always needed to be doing something even if it was just folding clothes while watching TV. Even at Spring Gardens she would help the staff fold laundry, clean the kitchen, organize things and help wherever she could.

Nina is survived by her three daughters: Debbie (Gary) Pendleton, Robin Wiscombe, and Cyndi (Jeff) Looman; and three stepsons: Gary (Kim) Simmons, Darwin Jr. “Butch” (Peggy) Simmons, and Carl (Vicki) Simmons. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. While all of us who knew and loved her will miss her terribly, we are grateful that she is no longer suffering the devastating effects of dementia and is happily reunited with Darwin; her parents, Arch (who died when she was just 14) and Vilate; siblings: Arch, Howard, Walton, and Helen; stepson, Gregg; son-in-law, Brent Wiscombe; and the many other dear friends and relatives who have preceded her.

There will be a small memorial service to honor Nina on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. For those interested in viewing the service online a link will be provided prior to June 13th.

Nina will be interred along with Darwin on June 27, 2024, at the Glenn Oaks Memorial Park in Chico, California, the time to be determined later.

For those wishing to view Nina’s services the following link is provided, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88561221168