Donald Simonsen

Donald Simonsen, age 86 of rural Dell Rapids, SD passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at his home near Dells.

A visitation with family present is planned for Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids, SD. The Family will have a private memorial service following the visitation. 

Family will also attend a private inurnment at Huntimer – St. Joseph Cemetery rural Colton, SD.

Donald James Simonsen was born February 25, 1938 in Chester, SD to Einar and Emma (Sievert) Simonsen. He grew up with his parents and his sister Joan just up the hill from his family farm. He was baptized at St Joseph the Workman Church at Huntimer, SD. He attended school through his 9th grade at Chester.

On February 28, 1959, he was united in marriage to Karen Jansen. In 1960 they made their home on what has become the family farm, where they raised their children and have lived together ever since. When they moved to the farm, the place did not have running water. Eventually they added onto the house, had a well dug, and got a television with more than three channels and a remote control.

Donald was a career farmer raising crops and livestock. He was loyal to Case IH tractors. The only piece of green equipment he owned was the old rock picker. Donald worked hard and ensured that his children had a strong work ethic. He believed in work first but made sure there was time left for fun. He enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, and playing cards. He and Karen would host card parties or go to friends’ homes to play. As the children got older, he taught them to play pinnacle, and many get togethers were spent in a very competitive game. For years, until he asked his children to help, he would go to Chester every Christmas Eve day to the pool hall for a card game and then to the local hardware store to pick out Karen’s Christmas gift. When his mom was alive, he spent most mornings going to her house for breakfast. He wasn’t a coffee drinker unless it was loaded with sugar. His favorite go-to-drink was unsweetened iced tea. One of his favorite foods was sour cream and raisin pie. He also enjoyed ketchup on everything as well as tabasco sauce. His CB name was Big Red in reference to his reddish colored beard. Donald liked to go on vacations between planting season and harvest. They most always went without their children. He and Karen would tease that the vacation was to get a break from their children. Donald was a very sociable person. He loved to go for drives and would just happen to stop at their houses for a visit. Donald loved to visit with anyone about anything. He didn’t like shopping so he would find a bench and sit and strike up a conversation with a total stranger to entertain himself. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were extra special to him. He loved teasing them and joking with them.

Donald is survived by his wife, Karen Simonsen; his five children, Dawn (Terry) Farr, Douglas (Jodi) Simonsen, David (Laura) Simonsen, Debra (Scott) Stoeckman, and Dyan (Kevin) Nelson. He has 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his infant brother, James and parents, Einar and Emma Simonsen..