Egon Simonsen

Elsket og Savnet Egon, son of Ahlman and Johanna (Thompsen) Simonsen, was born May 22, 1921 at Hjrring, Denmark. Egon, his parents and sister immigrated to the United States on the steamship Hellig Olav, arriving at Ellis Island on July 3, 1927. After a short stay with an uncle in Minneapolis, MN, the family settled in Avoca, IA, to farm. On January 24, 1946, Egon was united in marriage with Alice Jacobsen at the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elk Horn. In 1948 they purchased her parents farm five miles south of Elk Horn where they raised three children and farmed until their retirement in 1986. In 1999 they moved to Elk Horn. Egon and Alice were avid promoters of Elk Horn, and were named King and Queen of Tivoli Fest in 2001. They loved to travel, having been to all 48 of the lower US states, and they made their trip of a lifetime to Denmark in 1981. From the time he was a small boy to when they moved to Elk Horn, Egon had horses and ponies for the children. He was a charter member of the Elk Horn Saddle Club and a tireless worker for and supporter of many civic organizations in and around Elk Horn. Egon was a member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. He was one of many local volunteers to help build the Windmill when it arrived. Egon served for many years as the "Miller" at the Windmill and as a docent for visitors to the mill. He was elected to the Windmill Board in 1988 and served until 1993. After they moved to Elk Horn he mowed lawns around town to give himself something to do. When asked for the secret to his longevity, Egon would only say, "Never quit working, always find something to do". He became an instant, and somewhat reluctant, favorite of many when the documentary "Danmark p prǽrien" aired on Danish TV and he was called the "Golden Voice of Elk Horn" by viewers all over Denmark. On Tuesday, February 3, 2015, Egon passed into God's loving Hands at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, IA. He was 93 years, 8 months and 12 days of age. Egon is preceded in death by the love of his life and his wife of 59 years Alice Simonsen in 2005; son Neil Simonsen; sister Harriett Peters and husband Allen. He is survived by his son Steven Simonsen and wife Colleen of Omaha; daughter Jana Boettger and husband Steve of Harlan; brother Paul Simonsen and wife Shirley of Walnut; sister-in-law Doris Gude and husband Arnold of Elk Horn; ten grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends in and around Elk Horn and throughout Denmark. Memorial donations in Egon's honor may be made to the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn. Egon's family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship at the church following the interment. REVEREND KEITH MENTER, OFFICIATING STEVEN SIMONSEN & JON SIMONSEN, SPEAKERS ADRIANA AUGUSTYNE & KIMBERLY GRADY, READERS Music "BORNING CRY" "HOW GREAT THOU ART" CONGREGATION "AMAZING GRACE" AMANDA KLOKE, SOLOIST "THE LORD'S PRAYER" REVEREND KEITH MENTER NANCY WATSON, ACCOMPANIST Casketbearers JON SIMONSEN BRADLEY SIMONSEN ANA RONGISCH ADRIANA AUGUSTINE KURT BOETTGER KACY SIMONSEN DANE SIMONSEN