Margaret Simonsen

Margaret I. Simonsen, 89, of Quimby, passed away Monday, November 29, 2010, at Careage Hills Nursing Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Margaret "Sis" Rasmussen was born the daughter of Hans and Margrethe (Laursen) Rasmussen on December 15, 1920, in Marcus, Iowa. She was a member of the Marcus Public School Class of 1937. She attended business school in Sioux City and taught in a rural school for two and a half years. Margaret married Dr. Doyle W. Simonsen of Quimby on November 27, 1941, in Marcus, Iowa. The couple resided in rural Quimby until 2008 at which time they moved to The Gardens in Cherokee. She was active as a Sunday school teacher, M.Y.F. leader and 4-H leader. She was a founding member of the Cherokee County Historical Society and co-authored the Quimby Diamond Jubilee book. She was a long-time member of Entre Nous. Margaret enjoyed collecting antiques, playing cards, golfing, bowling, photography and attending her children's and grandchildren's school and sporting events. She will be remembered for her selfless giving to others, her sharp intellect, her love of her Danish heritage, her valuable contributions to the community and, most of all, her very deep and nurturing love of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Dr. Doyle Simonsen; four daughters, Ann (Ray) Drefke of Marcus, IA, Karen (Mike) McMahon of Libertyville, IL, Kristie (Rich) Brown of Sioux City, IA, and Kira (Alan) Freilich of Omaha, NE; two sons, John (Helen) Simonsen of Quimby, IA and Mark (Kathy) Simonsen of Cherokee, IA; fourteen grandchildren, Jeri (Mike) Johnson of Hartley, IA, Brent (Michelle) Drefke of Urbandale, IA, Jon (Marla) Simonsen of Quimby, IA, Kyle (Kristi) Drefke of Bethesda, MD, Jay (Kim) Simonsen of West Monroe, LA, Kelly Kaufman of Cedar Rapids, IA, Kerry (Glenn) Selby of Gretna, NE, Matt Simonsen of Eden Prairie, MN, Kyle McMahon of Libertyville, IL, Scott (Amy) Drefke of Ankeny, IA, Courtney (Jamie) Sanders of Vista, CA, Kent Simonsen of Cushing, IA, Kirk McMahon of Chicago, IL, and Rachel (TJ) Stahle of Prairie Village, KS; three step-grandchildren, Evan (Candace) Freilich, Mallory Freilich and Morgan Freilich, all of Omaha, NE; twenty-one great-grandchildren Kelsey Margaret, Kasey and Karley Peterson; Jared and Tyler Drefke; Derek and Jacob Simonsen; Margaret "Greta," Madeleine and Sigrid Drefke; Garret Robert, Cody Savell and Justin Robert; Katie Kaufman; Marilyn, Frankie, Andy and Carl Simonsen; Payton and Alyson Drefke; and Michael Freilich; and one sister, Eleanor "Bobby" Brady of Marcus, IA; a brother-in-law, Merle Simonsen of Cherokee; sisters-in-law Alice Rasmussen and Irene Rasmussen, both of Sioux City and Cecily Simonsen of Tucson, AZ; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Carl Rasmussen, Max Rasmussen, Harry Rasmussen and Don Rasmussen; and a sister, Evelyn Peterson.

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