Stanley Wallace 'Steamer' Simonson, son of Henry and Ruby (Burleigh) Simonson, was born September 11, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. When he was eight years old he moved with his family to Haywood, Wisconsin for three years and in 1947 they moved to a farm near Estelline, South Dakota. He graduated from Estelline High School in 1954 and then enlisted in the United States Air Force on May 18, 1955 as a medic. He was discharged on January 23, 1959 and from 1959 to 1967 he worked for a few construction businesses. On April 24, 1968, he joined the United States Navy Seabees and did two tours in Vietnam and was stationed in various places including Alaska, Argentina, New Fondland, Japan, California and many more. Stanley retired after 20 years in the service on August 31, 1984, as a Chief Petty Officer (E7). He worked for Nitteberg Construction for a few years and assisted several places with bartending including the Red Carpet in Estelline. He died on Saturday, December 6, 2008, at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center at the age of 72 years, 2 months and 25 days.
He was a member of the Masonic Temple, the VFW and the American Legion. His favorite past time was just spending time with his family and friends.
Stanley is survived by his brother George Simonson and his wife June of Omaha, NE; three sisters, Margaret Nystrom of Estelline, Beverly Espland and her husband Marvin of Rapid City, SD, Roberta Beem of Newark, OH; cousin Bert Brandsrud and his family of Estelline; nine nieces and nephews; 19 great nieces and nephews; and 16 great great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Gwendolyn and Marjorie, a brother-in-law, Verner Nystrom and a niece Jeanette.

E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.geisefuneralhome.com.