Donald Simonson

Donald E. Simonson was born to Paul and (Dorothy) Muriel Simonson on August 5, 1928, and was raised on a farm south of Sanborn. He graduated from Sanborn High School with honors in 1946 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Following basic training in Fort Knox, KY, he was sent to take part in the occupation of Korea. While there, he was selected for training as a Military Policeman and served as such until his discharge in March of 1948. Don was married to LaRue Kastner on September 27, 1949, and they farmed south of Sanborn for 30 years. They were members of the St. Thomas Catholic Church and raised six children. During that time, Don was a member of the Sanborn Legion and served on the Sanborn School Board and the Farmers' Co-op Elevator Board. Besides doing some part-time carpentry work, he also became a field reporter and did measuring for the various ASCS programs. He served on the Germantown Township AS CS committee until 1964, when he was elected to the Cottonwood County ASCS Committee and subsequently hired as a MN State Compliance Supervisor. During the next two years, he traveled over 22 counties as a State Spot-checker. In 1969, Don became the Cottonwood County ASCS Executive Director, in charge of administering federal farm programs. Don and LaRue gave up farming and moved to Windom in May, 1979, and he retired in June, 1989. Don belonged to the Windom Lions Club and served on the Legion's Military Funeral detail. They enjoyed traveling and spending winters in San Antonio, TX, and then moved to Orchard Hill in New Ulm in 2008. Don was preceded in death by his wife LaRue in March 2009, his parents and brother Gilbert, and an infant son. He is survived by his children: Sharon (Erv) Weinkauf of New Ulm; Nancy (Keith) Anderson of Hugo; David (Nancy) Simonson of White Bear Lake; Jeffery (Annmarie) Simonson of San Antonio, TX; Peggy (Steve) Simon of Groton, SD; and Gary (Barbara) Simonson of Jordan; along with 17 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and 6 step-great-grandchildren; sister Mary (Hillard) Rieck-Johnson of New Ulm and brothers Bob (Shirley) Simonson of Springfield and John Simonson of Sanborn; and many nieces and nephews. Don especially enjoyed living on Fish Lake, making family videos, dancing, and trips to Texas, and was especially proud of his family.