Obit: Simenson, James LeRoy #2 (1921 – 2006)
Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email:  crystalwendt@aol.com

Surnames: Simenson, Henke, Severson, Patton, Potter, Forrest, Watz, Meier, Austad

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) February 12, 2006

Simenson, James LeRoy (1921 – 9 Feb. 2006)

James L. Simenson

James LeRoy Simenson, 84, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday morning, Feb. 9, 2006.

Funeral services for James will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, 2006, with visitation one hour prior to service at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, 530 W. Parkway Blvd., Appleton, with the Rev. Mark Henke officiating.

There will also be a visitation from 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Highway 10 in Neillsville. A military honors gravesite service will be held immediately after at the Neillsville City Cemetery.

A man with deep love for wife, family, church, country and friends -- these words represent who our dad, Jim Simenson was. He was born April 27, 1921, in Wimbledon, N.D., to his parents Oliver and Anna (Severson) Simenson.

He graduated from Blair, Wis., High School and in 1942 was drafted to serve our country for four years, under the command of Gen. George Patton. He was honored with two Purple Hearts. In 1948, he married Mary Weeks in Blair. They moved to Neillsville in 1956 and divorced in 1967. Five children were born into this union.

In the spring of 1970, Dad married his "Babe," Doris Potter, a mother of five. Dad and Mom were able to blend two families as one through their strength of character, deep faith, wise counsel, unconditional love and lots of patience. In 1983, Dad retired from Northern States Power Co. after 37 years of service. This enabled the folks 10 years of travel to their favorite spot -- Las Cruces, N.M. He served on the church board, was a Cub Scout leader, lifetime member of Neillsville's VFW and he and Mom were mentors to so many. In January 2002, they moved to Appleton. We, and many others, have been blessed by Dad's skillful woodworking projects, his friendship over a cup of coffee or by the campsite, his sense of humor during a card game, his laughter over one of Mom's good stories, or his cheer from watching a good ball game.

Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife, Doris, of 35 years, a sister, Clarice Simenson, and his parents.

He is survived by his children, Joy (Richard) Forrest, New Richmond; Paul Simenson, Anepeny, Iowa; Joseph Simenson, Wisconsin Rapids; Anita Simenson, Wisconsin Rapids; Marilee (Patrick) Watz, Rhinelander; David (Elie) Potter, Carnation, Wash.; Daniel (Peggy) Potter, Sedona, Ariz.; Thomas (Nancy) Potter, Waunakee; Timothy (Ann) Potter, Appleton; Lisa (Douglas) Meier, Hatton, N.D.; 22 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one sister, Vera (Burton) Austad and her family, many special friends and relatives.