Craig A. Simonsen, age 74, of Sheldon, formerly of Akron passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Sanford Sheldon Medical Center.
His celebration of life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at First Reformed Church in Sheldon with Pastor Paul Van Maaren officiating.
Burial will be at a later date.
Visitation with family present will be from 5 – 7 P.M. on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.
Local arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.
There will also be a visitation at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa from 5 – 7 P.M. on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Local arrangements for the visitation are under the care of Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials would be made to Northwest Iowa Health Foundation (Sanford Sheldon), Sheldon Community Ambulance Team (SCAT), or Vista Prairie-Fieldcrest Facility.
Craig Allen Simonsen, the son of Carl and Elizabeth “Betty” (Wolf) Simonsen was born on July 8, 1948, in Carrol, Iowa.
He attended school in Exira and graduated from Exira High School in 1966. After high school, he continued his education at Ellsworth Community College earning a Petroleum Management diploma.
On May 15, 1971, Craig was united in marriage to Susan “Sue” Turner in Atlantic, Iowa. Craig worked for his father’s service station, Carl’s 66 until 1974.
From there he went to work for Thermogas in a variety of Iowa towns: Audubon, Rockwell, Sibley, Algona, and Akron. Craig then worked for Dirks Motors in Akron, Iowa, as a salesman until he retired in 2011. Sue passed away on June 28, 2012, and Craig remained in Akron until moving closer to his son and family in Sheldon in March 0f 2022.
Craig was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Akron and was a member of the Goldwing Road Riders Association. He enjoyed many years riding motorcycle including yearly trips to Sturgis and the New Hampton Goldwing Rally. Throughout the years, he also enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing, and playing cards. Craig loved spending time with his three cats. But most of all, he loved the time spent with his family, especially his two granddaughters and attending many of their events.
Left to cherish his memory are his son, Scott and his wife Kristie of Sheldon; two granddaughters, Mikayla and Keely Simonsen both of Brookings, South Dakota; his mother, Betty Simonsen of Exira, Iowa; sister, Julie (Paul) Christensen of Brayton, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Marcia Gustafson of Omaha, Nebraska and Karen Primeau of Reno, Nevada; nephews, Justin (Jill) Christensen of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Jeremy (Amanda) Christensen of Des Moines, Iowa, Kevin (Jessica) Turner and Jason (Leslie) Turner both of Omaha, Nebraska; also other relatives and friends.
Craig was preceded in death by his father, Carl Simonsen; his wife, Sue Simonsen; mother and father-in-law, Bev and Robert Turner; brothers- in-law, Greg Turner, Steve Gustafson and Robert Primeau.
