Celebration of Life planned in April for Dennis A. Simonsen, 1942-2019

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Friends and family are invited to an April celebration of the life of Dennis A. Simonsen. Here is the remembrance being shared with the community:

In loving memory of Dennis A. Simonsen, 76, recently of Tomah, Wisconsin and longtime resident of West Seattle, who died on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, surrounded by his family, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Dennis was born on August 16, 1942 to Alvin and Helen (Lingman) Simonsen in Redmond, Oregon. He married Donna (Leiendecker) on September 5, 1970 in Juneau, Alaska, and together they have two children, Daphney Newtson of West Seattle and Devon Simonsen, also of West Seattle. He was also blessed with two grandchildren, Zachary Newtson of Peoria, Illinois, and McKenzy Newtson of West Seattle.

Dennis was a man of deep faith with a huge heart that cared for all those around him. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, the Knights of Columbus in both Washington and Wisconsin, and involved in many volunteer programs, including Friend to Friend, Hospice, ICYE (international youth exchange) Catholic Community Services (Foster care), and helping with Donna’s in-home day care. His outside work included purser for the Alaska Marine Highway, travel agent here in Seattle, and in recent years, medical assisting and kidney dialysis tech.

A prayer service was held on Friday, February 8, 2019 in Tomah, Wisconsin at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home. In addition, a celebration of his life will be held on April 27, 2019 at 1 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, and all that knew him are invited to attend.

Dennis is also survived by his sister, Carol (Simonsen) James of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, as well as many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

His presence in our lives will be missed, but we are assured that his love for his family and the fond memories we shared will continue on within us.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz)

Helen February 14, 2019 (8:41 pm)

Heaven just got a wonderful saint!!

Daphney February 14, 2019 (9:43 pm)

Thank you Helen!

Leanne February 14, 2019 (8:43 pm)

Devon – so so sorry to hear your bad news. In the picture, sure looks like he’s got something to say! Hope you’re all doing ok. Take care and hope to see you soon.

What a guy February 15, 2019 (12:21 am)

I didn’t personally meet Dennis but he she has heck raised two awesome kids. Sorry Daphney and Devon for your loss but I have no doubt heaven just got another angel! Rest easy sir and watch over those left behind.

pelicans February 15, 2019 (6:38 am)

My mother was from Tomah, the middle child of 9. She came west during the war, settling in Portland, then San Diego. She passed away in Tomah, and the kind and caring people at Sonnenburg didn’t just take care of her, they took care of me. I wonder if she knew this wonderful man . For that matter, I wonder if I had met him. Was stationed in Alaska, and took the AMH up and back from Bellingham to Haines. Met many nice crew on the ASF Columbia. God bless.

Daphney February 15, 2019 (6:45 pm)

What A Guy- thank you for the kind words. He truly was one of the good guys!!

Daphney February 15, 2019 (6:49 pm)

Pelicans- it truly is a small world. He would have lived in Alaska back in the late ‘60s to early 70s. His time in Tomah was off and on for the past 20+ years. It’s all about the 6 degrees of separation. Thanks for sharing your memories.

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