Linda Ann Simms, 73, of Valparaiso passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. She was born October 7, 1951, in Gary, IN to George & Ellen (Nilsen) Paulsen and graduated from Portage High School in 1968. Linda made her career with Western & Southern Insurance Company for nearly 30 years, having served as District Manager of their Valparaiso office. She attained insurance certification as an LUTCF, and acquired licensing for investments in NASD Series 6, 26, and 63.
Linda was always a strong-willed woman who made no secret that she preferred summer over winter and enjoyed planning vacations with Rick that were centered around which golf courses they wanted to visit. She loved cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Bears along with many other local sports teams, just not the Sox. Her longtime membership at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso provided her with spiritual grounding and an outreach outlet to her community. Justifiably she was proud of her grandkids and adored all of her family members. With a heart of gold she endeared herself to everyone who ever passed through her realm, even her three challenging daughters proclaim her to be a “great mother”, and know she will be missed enormously by all of her loved ones.
In 1988 she married Richard “Rick” Simms who survives along with her daughters; Kim (Bob) Rosinski of Portage, Karri (Adam) Nelson of Kouts, Kristi (James) Espinoza of Portage, step-sons; Bryan (Jessica) Simms of South Carolina & Jeremy (Tracey) Simms of Chesterton, brothers; Roy Paulsen & Daniel (Patti) Paulsen, grandchildren: Christopher Long, Alex (Ashley) Long, Cass (Stephanie) Rosinski, Dylan (Taylor) Nelson, Jessica Nelson, Marcus Espinoza, Monica (Michael) Martinez, Isaiah Espinoza, Hannah Simms & Allison Simms, and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Andrew Espinoza and three great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 11th, 3:00 pm at Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso with Rev. Erica Gibson-Even officiating and visitation to follow from 3:30 – 5:30 pm.
