Donald Simensen, 82, of Wolf Point, died upon arrival at the Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana on December 22 after many years battling complications of diabetes.
Born August 11, 1936 at the family farm south of Wolf Point to Torbjorn “Tom” and Andrea (Jakobson) Simensen, Donald was the youngest of four children. He eventually bought the family farm in the Sand Creek area and was a successful, long-term farmer and cattle rancher there until his death. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor.
In 1937, in the midst of the drought of the “dirty thirties”, farming conditions were terrible, food was scarce, and a destructive hail storm was the “final straw” for his mother Andrea. She took one-year-old Donald, older brothers Gerald and Kastor, and older sister Susie back to her native country of Norway. Although Norway was green and beautiful, times were very hard there as well. She and the older children worked many odd jobs, including sewing, cooking, fishing, sardine packing, and gardening. Tom’s original plan was to join them later but that did not happen due to World War II. When the Germans were occupying Norway it also became very hard for Andrea and the children to travel home. When the war was over and they returned to Montana in 1946, Donald was 10 years old and spoke only Norwegian. He had the enormous challenge of learning English, along with his school lessons and making friends but he was smart, hard-working, well-liked, and did well.
Donald graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1955. He was a lineman on their football team and had two perfect 7-0 seasons. Friends nicknamed him “Swede” because of his Norwegian accent. Apparently, he didn’t mind because he later ordered a personalized license plate that read “Swede 55.”
He joined the U.S. Army in 1958, and served in Munich, Germany. After leaving the army, he attended Northern Montana College in Havre. He married Donna Bishop, and in 1962 their daughter and only child Fawn Deanna was born. They divorced when Fawn was very young, and Donald found himself a single parent raising a young daughter-with a lot of help from his mother Andrea.
In his younger adult years, Donald worked as a carpenter for his brother Gerald, and also for Randolph Construction. Around that time, he bought the family farm, which had been in the Soil Bank Program, and eventually started farming full time. He later added cattle ranching which he did up until his death.
In 1990, he married Dorothy (Papka) Roll and gained three step-daughters: Karen, Mary Kay, and Sheila. Dorothy, his beloved wife and companion of 23 years, shared his love for cattle and ranching. Each had their own herd and shared the work. Dorothy’s death in 2013 left a big hole in his heart.
Donald was an avid hunter, fisherman, and football fan. When Fawn was quite young, they took many fishing and camping trips to Rock Creek around Fort Peck Dam. Andrea “Grandma Annie” would often go along and they would stay in a homemade camper fashioned out of an old bus. He enjoyed hunting with his brothers and nephews for both birds and big game.
He is survived by his daughter Fawn Simensen and her husband Chris Gotschalk of Bigfork, MT, his brother Kastor (Lona) Simensen of Fort Peck, MT, and step-daughters Karen (Dennis) Dahl of Belt, MT, Mary Kay (Eric) Hoch of Williston, ND, and Sheila (Wayne) Doornek of Livingston, MT, numerous nieces and nephews who called him “Uncle Donnie”, and a special little copper-colored Dachshund he named “Shadow.”
Donnie loved his family and had numerous friends and some great neighbors.
A memorial service for Donald Simensen will be held on Friday, January 11 at 2PM at First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary at https://bestfriends.org/donate
The Carter Center at https://www.cartercenter.org, or
First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point
Everyone is invited to stay for a lunch and fellowship at the church directly after the service.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday January 11, 2019
First Lutheran Church
415 Johnson Street
Wolf Point, Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday January 11, 2019
First Lutheran Church
415 Johnson Street
Wolf Point, Montana
Michael Hardtke says
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends. We have wonderful memories with Donnie and his wife Dorothy. Its so hard to think of Donnie and not Dorothy in our memories as they were always together when we would visit Wolf Point for Thanksgivings and hunting trips. Donnie was a right to the point kind of guy and we love him for that, as Donnie would say “TRUE STORY”, Donnie and Dorothy went camping with us to Fort Peck and Dorothy had to use the bathroom so i pulled the boat over to a sand bar so she could make her way to some cover and while walking on the sand bar she began to sink into the sand abyss. Donnie and myself were laughing so hard we were crying . Donna, Dorothy’s younger sister was trying to help her to her feet and finally got Dorothy up to solid ground. Donnie looked at me and said in his quick humor ” I thought we were going to have to throw her a rope to pull her out “True Story”. Donnie it was a pleasure fishing , hunting and just visiting with you all those years. We love and will miss your laughter and telling us all of those and I quote “TRUE STORIES” Thanks Donnie and Dorothy for all the memories we love and miss you both as your were always a loving couple to us and best friends. Love you for every and always Mike & Donna Hardtke!!
Pam Keller Bell says
Condolences to the family and friends.
Ruth Squires-Hood says
Thoughts and prayers to all the family. Fond memories of Fawn over at her Grandma’s across the street from our house. I would stop on my bike and talk with her and she always told me what her Grandma was baking.
Dale Stensland says
I hope to see you “over there” Donny.
Prayers for the family. Gby.
Shelly Johnson Willmore says
Fawn,
I am sorry to hear of your fathers passing. May you find the strength to continue through this chapter of your life.
Prayers,
Shelly Johnson Willmore
Shari Knudson Ekwortzel says
My father Lyle Knudson always enjoyed your Dad. Fawn as a little girl I remember going to your place (probably delivering fuel). I thought your name was the neatest one I’d ever heard! So sorry for your loss as your Father was a great man. My condolences…..💐
Diane (Simensen) Long says
Fawn, so sorry to hear about your dad, my Uncle Donald. I always remember sitting around the dining room table on Crescent Dr at holidays playing Whist with him. He was always competitive but a good teacher, with his quick wit and quick smile. So sorry I can’t make it for the service. Hugs and prayers