03/31/1933 - 10/26/2012
Marie Simonson, beloved mother and grandmother, stepped into Heaven on Friday, October 26, 2012 at the age of 79. Marie was born to Josef and Delia Stangeland on March 31, 1933 in Bellingham. She was number ten of eleven kids, which she said was the reason she didn’t have a middle name and why she ate so fast. Marie graduated from Bellingham High School and Shaw Secretarial School. Marie married Russell Simonson 50 years ago, right before the big Columbus Day storm on October 11, 1962. She worked for the Farmer’s Home Administration for many years. When she stopped working at the FHA, she helped her husband with the family farm and continued to be an invaluable helper to her eldest daughter when she took over the farm. Marie was a member of the Victor Community Club, Laurel Grange and Victor Sunday School. She loved her flower garden, reading (especially mysteries), traveling, bowling, skiing, golfing, going out for coffee, long drives, crossword puzzles and old movies. More than anything else, Marie loved her children and grandchildren. Marie had an adventurous spirit with her love to travel and see new places and try new things. She enjoyed life fully. Marie took up golfing in her later years and was still skiing in her sixties. If you needed her, she was always there for you. She was kind and humble, with a fantastic sense of humor and a gift for telling stories. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Ole, Lonnie, Nils, Karsten, John, Johanna, Dagny, Ed and Henry, her friend and niece Gail, and nephews Scott, Steve and Mike. Marie is survived by her husband, Russell Simonson, two loving daughters Lori (Paul) Murphy and Sara (Wade) Spreckelmeyer, four much loved grandchildren, Rachelle (Micah) Kwiat, John Murphy, and Dane and Colt Spreckelmeyer, sister Delia Joule, her lifelong friend and sister-in-law, Joan Stangeland, and many loving relatives and friends, including her good golfing buddies Dolores, Leona and Nancy. The family wishes to thank all of the caregivers, nurses and staff at Silverado for their devoted and loving care and for helping mom live out the last two years of her life with as much joy as possible. You are invited to share memories of mom at a reception on Saturday, November 3rd at 1 PM at the Victor Community Hall at the corner of Hannegan and Smith Roads.