Willard passed away Friday morning, Aug. 25, 2017, at the Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Willard A. Simon was born April 30, 1922, in Fairmont, Minn., the son of Peter W. and Bernice N. (Ford) Simon. He attended school in Fairmont and attended Fairmont High School. As a senior in high school, Willard enlisted with the National Guard Battery H Unit in Fairmont and on Sept. 23, 1940, he was called to active duty with the U.S. Army where he served his country proudly during World War II in Alaska and Germany. On Oct. 17, 1945, Willard received his honorable discharge and returned home to Minnesota. On April 14, 1944, Willard was united in marriage to Helen R. Schleininger at the St. John’s United Church of Christ parsonage in a double ceremony with one of Willard’s military buddies. Together, the couple made their home in Fairmont and were blessed with four children, Jerome, Daryl, Susan, and Steven. Willard farmed in the Fairmont area for a number of years before beginning his employment with 3M in 1953. Following his retirement, Willard kept himself busy doing cement work and building many stone fireplaces throughout Martin County.

In his younger years, Willard enjoyed hunting and camping. He had a love for the outdoors and jumped at the chance to spend a day on the lake with a line in the water, hoping to catch the big one. In his later years, Willard looked forward to trip to the Wild Rose Casino in Emmetsburg where he would try his luck on one of the many games. Willard had a green thumb and was well known for his gardens and sharing his harvest with family and friends. He also enjoyed volunteering his time and spent many hours at Heritage Acres, the Chubb House, and the Martin County Museum. Willard was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post #36, and the Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1222. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Jerome “Jerry” Simon and wife, Joyce, of Fairmont, Minn., Daryl Simon and wife, Yvonne, of Lake Crystal, Minn., Susan Moeller and husband, Harvey, of Fairmont, Minn., and Steven Simon and wife, Teresa, of Fairmont, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Richard Simon and wife, Betty, of Oregon, Ruby Steffen of Minn., Roger Simon of Calif., Deloris (Larry) Quiggle of Minn., Larry Simon and wife, Julie, of Calif., and Rollo Simon of Colo.; in-laws, Fran Fenske of Blue Earth, Minn., Joyce Tow of Portage, Wis., Susan Uhde of Madelia, Minn., Richard Schleininger and wife, Bev, of Fairmont, Minn.; special friend, Lavonne Thurmer of Fairmont, Minn.; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Bernice Simon; sister, Virginia Austin; granddaughter, Lacey Simon; and in-laws, Mary Nelson, Robert Schleininger and William Schleininger.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]