Obit: Simonson, Alvin O. (1917 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Simonson, Olson, Lyons, Johnson, Berens, Nelsen, McMullen, Ferguson, Torgerson, Hulett, Zillmer, Korn, Torgelson, Erickson, Berget, Cooper, Jessie, Olstad, Zinn

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) July 29, 2009

Simonson, Alvin O. (24 August 1917 – 23 July 2009) With Flag

Alvin O. Simonson, 91, of Black River Falls died Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Black River Memorial Hospital, Black River Falls.

Alvin was born August 24, 1917, in Albion Township, Jackson County, to parents Sam and Nettie (Olson) Simonson.  He attended grade school in Squaw Creek and graduated from Black River High School in 1936.  During his high school years, he worked for room and board at Bea Linnell’s café, E. T. Davis’ Merchants Hotel and J. R. McDonald’s Freeman Hotel.  After high school he worked for Charles Thrasher on his turkey farm and was the bookkeeper for Chamison’s Department Store.  He was later employed by Schultz Brothers Company as manager of the store in Black River Falls.

Alvin married Edna Lyons July 16, 1942.  He was drafted into the armed forces from Camp Grant in Illinois and was assigned to the Air Force, serving at Mather Field in California, Fort Sumner in New Mexico, and Hickam, John Rodgers and Kahuhu Air Fields in Hawaii.  He was honorably discharged at Fort McCoy after four years and four months with the rank of Master Sergeant.  Following his discharge, he was reemployed by Schultz Brothers and managed stores at Rochester and Rensselear, Indiana, and at Hudson, Beaver Dam and Menomonie. In April of 1976, Alvin retired from Schultz Brothers after 36 years of employment and then sold Wick Homes for Ole Olson, Inc. for four years.  Following his retirement, Alvin and Edna lived in Hixton and Black River Falls.

Alvin was a charter member of the New Hope Community Lutheran Church, spearheading the church’s building project and serving as treasurer.  He and his wife were active volunteers at Pine View Care Center for many years.

Alvin enjoyed being outdoors working in his flower garden or doing yard work.  He and his wife loved to travel and together they visited almost every state capitol in the United States. 

He will be remembered as a very good man, a dedicated husband and a person who cold be counted on to do what he could to help those in need.

Alvin is survived by his wife Edna; sister-in-law Virginia Johnson of New Berlin; nieces, Florence Berens of Winter, Patricia Nelsen of Wadena, MN, Dixie McMullen of Phoenix, AZ and Jean Ferguson of Sarasota, FL; nephews, Orville Torgerson Jr. of Winter, Richard Johnson of Howard, CO and Ronald Johnson of Lake Havasu, AZ; cousins, Elmer (Leota) Simonson of Black River Falls, Olive Hulett of Black River Falls and Beverly Zillmer of Sparta; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother Roy Simonson; sisters, Myrtle Korn and Clarice Torgelson; sister-in-law Ethel Erickson; and brother-in-law Donald R. Lyon.

Funeral services for Alvin O. Simonson were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at New Hope Community Lutheran Church, rural Hixton, with Reverend David Johnson officiating. Burial took place in the Upper Pigeon Creek Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hixton, with Military rites by the Northfield American Legion Post #541. Friends called at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to services.

Casketbearers were: Norman Berget, Gary Cooper, Adam Jessie, Harlan Olstad, Gerald, Jeff and Wayne Zinn.

Memorials are preferred to the New Hope Community Lutheran Church or the Black River Hospice.