Obituary of Clarence R. Simonsen

Clarence R. Simonsen, age 100 of Menno passed away on Friday, October 09, 2015 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Menno, with Rev. Matthew Resner officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery, Menno, SD. Visitations will be 4 to 7 PM, Thursday, October 15, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, and then 5 to 8 PM, Friday, October 16, 2015 at the Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno, and then one hour prior to the service at the church. Clarence was born September 17, 1915 in Yankton, SD to Simon and Gertrude (Wildberger) Simonsen. At the age of six months, they moved to Menno, SD. He was confirmed on July 5, 1931 at Peace Lutheran Church by Paster Bruntch. He worked at several jobs: Grocery stores in Menno, for the City of Menno as water and sewer maintenance and for the City of Menno Police Department. In 1947, he started Simonsen Plumbing and Heating. At the age of 66, he sold his business to his son, Roger, but kept on working with the business. Clarence was active in his church, singing in the choir and ushering. He was a member of the City Band and also helped in Yankton, Scotland, Tabor and Davis Bands. He was a member of the City Council of Menno for six years and served as Mayor of Menno for ten years. He was also a member of the Menno Fire Department for 65 years and served on the Menno Ambulance for 25 years. Clarence was always ready to help anyone that needed help. He was a very dedicated employee of Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel in Menno for 60 plus years. Clarence and his wife, Ruth were inducted into the SD USBC Hall of Fame in 2011 in the Pioneer division for their dedication to and longevity of participation in the sport of bowling. Clarence married Ruth Catherine Stern on August 6, 1939 in Menno, SD. To this union, 2 children were born. Clarence is survived by his daughter, Lonnie and husband, Ken Remington of Yankton, SD; son, Roger and his wife, Jeanie Simonsen of Menno, SD; sister, Martha Soeth of Irene, SD; three grandchildren: Jan and husband, Dan Putnam, Scott and wife, Shirlene and Timothy and wife, Janel; five great-grandchildren: Christopher and Nicole Putnam, Kendra Simonsen, Nicholas and Alyssa Simonsen and three great-great-grandchildren, Aubrey Nicole Putnam, Ty Patrick Nichols and Chason Lee Simonsen. Clarence was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth on March 22, 2015, his parents and brother, Elmer.