Edythe Maureen Simonson

Edythe Maureen Simonson, 90, Rosholt, passed away Monday, January 29, 2018, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 2, at 3:00 p.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt with Rev. Nancy Quatier officiating.  Music will be provided by organist Lana Sand and vocalists will be Maureen's children.

Burial will be in the Bethania Cemetery, Rosholt.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Community Quilters.  Active pallbearers will be Maureen's granddaughters.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church and will continue Friday one hour prior to the service.

Edythe Maureen Peterson was born September 12, 1927, in Rosholt, SD, in her grandparent's home, to Hjalmer and Edith (Erickson) Peterson. Maureen was baptized, confirmed, and later married at Bethania Lutheran Church. She attended the Rosholt school system and graduated from high school with the class of 1945. On April 3, 1948, she married her sweetheart O'Donald Simonson. From this union ten children were born, four boys and six girls.

Maureen had many talents including sewing clothes for her children and their dolls, even repurposing hand me down coats into beautiful coats. She had a knack for upcycling even before it became popular. Her quilts are a treasure that she gifted for every newborn, graduation, and marriage.

Music was always a part of Maureen's life, whether playing the piano and organ at church, or accompanying a sing along around the piano at Christmas. She passed her love of music onto her children.

Her cooking ability seemed effortless as she found a little bit of this and that in her refrigerator and whipped up a spread like none other, with beautiful presentation. Her baking talents were second to none producing delightful caramel rolls, hot cross buns, and Scandinavian delicacies. Lefse making became an important family tradition with an annual lefse fest held every year, passing down the tradition to all generations.

Maureen was a primarily self-taught painter gifting each of her children with her creations. Everything she touched captured the art of making something out of nothing and everyone she touched was better for it.

Maureen, with her quiet strength, had the unique ability to turn our house into a warm, welcoming home on a shoestring. Even though money was tight raising ten kids, she had the ability to create a haven with attention to detail. It was obvious Maureen was very well read; she enjoyed games but especially loved a competitive game of Scrabble. Her wit and dry humor is something we will never forget.

Even though our selfless Mother did not like to be the center of attention, she was constantly surrounded by her children and grandchildren in the weeks prior to her death. And as we predicted she would, she heard them say they were going to dinner, and she quietly slipped away moments after they left her room.

Survivors include her children, Patricia (Steve) Casanova of Aberdeen, SD, Jean Halpin of Anchorage, AK, Kay Braun of Rosholt, Timothy (Linda) Simonson of Rosholt, Mary (Tom) Hale of Edmonds, WA, Annie Simonson (Poly El Kadi) of Rosholt, Peter (Maria) Simonson of Alabaster, AL, Edie Nelson (Bryan Metcalf) of Barney, ND, and Jonathon (Sunny) Simonson of Snellville, GA; grandchildren, Chad Casanova, Kaia Rohrer, Joshua Braun, Sarah Braun Lovold, Brittany Braun, Eli Halpin, Kate Halpin, Joe Carlin, Jarrett Mattson, Sam Mattson, Nick Pacatte, Julie Anderson, William El Kadi, Dulce Canales, Winston Hatch Simonson, Emily Nelson, Laura Nelson, Becca Klemick, Terrance Simonson, and Gustav Simonson; great-grandchildren, Tehya Braun, Issac Casanova, Ben Casanova, Emma Casanova, Joey Anderson, Stefan Canales, Sophia Canales, Brynlee Klemick, Lainey Klemick, Megan Braun, Anna Braun, Kaylee Nelson, Easton Nelson, Joe Rohrer, and Riley Rohrer; and brother, Darcy (Mary) Peterson of Hinton, IA.

Maureen was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, O'Donald Simonson; parents, Hjalmer and Edith Peterson; son, Michael Simonson; brothers, Wilbur Peterson, Norman Peterson, Gordon Peterson, Milo Peterson, Merlyn Peterson, Dean Peterson; and sisters, Jayne Rinas, and Eileen Martinson.