Ethen "Blackie" Simonson

Ethen "Blackie" Calvin Simonson, 88, Fergus Falls, MN, peacefully passed into heaven in his sleep on April 5, 2015. He was a wonderful loving father, grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed.

Visitation was Thursday, April 9, beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt.

Funeral services were Tuesday, April 14, at 2:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Covenant Church, Wheaton, MN, with Pastor Tim Shekleton officiating. Music was provided by organist Cheryl Shekleton and vocalists Kia Griffey and Seth Bloom. Military honors were provided by the Merton Dale American Legion Post 80 of Wheaton.

Active pallbearers were Pat Peyton, Mike Peyton, John Swedlund, Jerry Fischer, Ron Wirtjes and Larry Grohs. Honorary pallbearers were his grandsons, Stacy Simonson, Benjamin Simonson, Corey Simonson, Josiah Griffey, Dane Simonson and Dustin LeClair.

Ethen Calvin Simonson was born in Wheaton, Minnesota, on March 31, 1927, to Oswald Andrew Simonson and Emilie Kaia (Christensen) Simonson. He grew up in the Rosholt area and attended school. At 17 he joined the U.S. Navy and was trained as an aviation radio man and served until the end of the war at which time he was discharged.

Ethen married Hildreth Menge on January 12, 1952. They lived in several locations in Minnesota, Arizona, Colorado, California and South Dakota while raising a growing family. Ethen began working in the construction field in the U.S. and later expanded to work overseas. And in his own words:

"My wandering days are over and now, I'll be home forever with the peace that follows. During my lifetime I had the good fortune of visiting almost every state in the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. My travels overseas included Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, China, Mongolia, England, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Mexico."

Blackie married Beverly Lichtsinn in 1991 in Wheaton. She passed away August 17, 2008.

Blackie was loved and noted for his generous caring ways, his smile and quick wit. His love of travel and the outdoors, hunting and fishing took him on many "adventures." He always remained young at heart. His friends and family, especially his grandchildren meant the world to him.

Blackie is survived by his children, son Ricky (Virginia) Simonson of Browns Valley, MN, (Stacy, Benjamin and Corey); daughter, Debra (Chad) Griffey of Moorhead, MN, (Josiah and Kia); son, Craig (Kristine) Simonson of Montrose, MN, (Dane, Brooke and Emma); daughter, Susan (Gary) LeClair of Rosholt, SD, (Dustin and Crystal); 14 great-grandchildren; and brother, O'Donald (Maureen) Simonson of Rosholt.

He was preceded in death by Hildreth Simonson; his parents, Oswald and Emilie Simonson; and his brother, Goodridge Eliot.