Donald "Don" G. Simonson

Donald Gilbert "Don" Simonson, 78, of Cook, died at the Cook Hospital on 5 February 2015. He went home to the Lord peacefully, after 12 years of living with cancer.
He was born 21 June 1936 in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, to Jesse Gilbert and Norma Burnett (Anderson) Simonson. He lived in various States while growing up and later working for his father's logging business, before settling in Cook in 1953. He married Muriel Anderson on 22 June 1957, in the Leander Baptist Church in rural Cook. They raised their five children in Cook.
After working several short term jobs in the area, Don had worked in the city of Cook since 1956, at the Delich Pure Oil Company and the Lobe Chevrolet Company, before establishing his own business known as Simonson Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, Inc. He liked to say "I came to Cook broke, and now I owe thousands." Don sold automobiles in Cook for 25 years, before retiring in 1989, after which he became a Real Estate agent (Simonson Internet Realty), until cancer hit him in 2002.
Don was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Cook. He served in various offices, including ushering from 1956 until the present "because they won't let me sing in the choir." Don was very involved in the community affairs of Cook. He served as Fire Chief, Chief of the Ambulance Squad, President of the Cook Chamber of Commerce, Mayor of the City of Cook, and was involved in many other community affairs. In 1999, he created the www.cookmn.com website, to which he dedicated a great deal of time and energy.
All his life, Don loved cars and driving – anytime, anywhere. He traveled extensively, visiting all 50 States in the U.S. and all 87 Counties in Minnesota. He loved researching and recording both family and local history with his camera and computer. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, going out to lunch after church with friends on Sundays, and going to coffee every morning with his Coffee Buddies. But most of all, he loved the Lord and desired for others to come to know Him.
Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Muriel; two daughters, Carol & Jim Hofsommer of Markham, MN and Becky & Eric Trip of Cook; three sons, Mike & Janet (Bjornrud) Simonson of Lake St. Croix Beach, MN, John of Antarctica & Cook, Dave & Michele (McIlroy) Simonson of Phoenix, AZ; Grandchildren, Rachel Greiner of Rugby, ND, Katie Greiner of Brasov, Romania, Peter & Taryn Greiner of Virginia, MN, John Greiner of Eveleth, James Greiner of Duluth, Sarah Simonson and Mark Simonson of Phoenix, AZ, and Anna, Zoe, Emily, Lydia, and Elizabeth Trip of Cook; one Great Granddaughter, Becca Greiner of Virginia; two brothers, Jerry & Irene (Edblom) Simonson of Silver Bay, MN and Mike & Mary (Geib) Simonson of Shoreview, MN; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Duane Simonson, his parents-in-law Peter and Hulda Anderson, brother-in-law Hartley Anderson, and son-in-law Dan Greiner.
SERVICES: Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Monday, (Feb. 9th) at the First Baptist Church in Cook. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Sunday at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook, and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Rev. Randy Swenson will be the officiant. Spring interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Angora Township. If so desired, memorials can be directed to VCY Radio, 3434 West Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI. 53208