By Duke Wenzel – True Dakotan Editor

You most likely have seen her walking around Wessington Springs. Marie Simmons takes a long walk most every day, sometimes twice. Not just around the block, mind you. She travels over a mile as she walks from her Weskota Apartment up First Street, then heads for the park for a walk through, winds around the south end of town before she makes her way back down Main Street and home.

We stopped Marie one day last week long enough to tell her how much she inspires people, young and old, by watching her summer and winter walking the streets of Wessington Springs. Marie didn’t mind telling us her age. “I’ll be 90 this July 10^th,” she said. “I guess I can explain my good condition by coming from Crow Lake,” she continued.

Marie was born near Crow Lake one of five children born to Frederick and Mary Petrosky, part of the larger Czechoslovakian settlement in that area. She has many fond memories of her childhood growing up around Crow Lake. “Dad knew about all of those rock formations. He cautioned his children: “‘Do not disturb them… They are burial sites.’.”

Marie grew up, found the love of her life, Cecil Simmons, and together they raised a large family in Jerauld County. Cecil died some years ago but Marie has a host of kids, grandkids, and great grandkids to keep her life happy. She named off her nine children: Grace, Barbara, Cecile, Margaret, Clara, Rita, David, Michael, and Patrick.

Asked why she walks so much, she answered “For health and enjoyment. And besides, it gets kind of boring sitting at home all the time.” She said, “I’m a big (Minnesota) Twins fan as you can see by my jacket. I don’t miss many games on TV although I do go to sleep during some of those late games on the West Coast.”

So, keep an eye out for Marie out walking most any day around town inspiring us all unless, of course, the Twins are on TV.

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