Harlan Simonds

Harlan Newell, son of Harry R. and Marie E. (Hiatt) Simonds, was born September 17, 1929 at Lynch, NE. He attended rural school and later his family moved to Nehawka, NE where he graduated from Nehawka High School in 1947. After graduation he enlisted in the United Sates Coast Guard where he served from 1947 - 1951. Following his honorable discharge, Harlan worked at Omaha Steel for three years before enlisting in the United States Air Force. On July 2, 1954, Harlan was united in marriage with Clara Pedersen at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX. They were able to live and raise their three children on the bases where Harlan was stationed with the Air Force. The family lived in Texas, Nebraska, New York, Mississippi, the Philippines, and finally New Mexico. Upon his discharge from the Air Force in 1970, Harlan enrolled full time at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1972. After a short time at Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, Harlan was offered the middle school special education teacher position with the Harlan Public School District. He worked there from 1974 until he retired in 1989. Harlan was an active man, enjoying tent camping and ballroom dancing with his wife and family. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. Woodcarving occupied a large portion of his spare time and he belonged to Nishna Valley Woodcarver, Town and County Woodcarvers and the Mid-American Woodcarvers. In later years he enjoyed volunteering at the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn. Harlan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2004. His wife cared for him at home until he became a resident of Salem Lutheran Homes in Elk Horn in 2007. He died there on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at the age of 80 years, 1 month and 26 days. Preceding him in death are his parents; two brothers Arlie Simonds and Russell Simonds; three sisters Fern Kamphaus, Lois Hansen and Iris Cook. Harlan is survived by his wife Clara Simonds of Harlan; three children: Derek Simonds and wife Laura of Wahoo, NE; Brent Simonds of Bakersfield, CA and Bianca Simonds of Columbia, LA; seven grandchildren; five brothers: Roland Simonds of Bay Shore, NY; Roy Simonds and wife Marty of Enterprise, KS; Rex Simonds and wife Rebecca of Rancho Cordova, CA; Harry Simonds and wife Dee of El Paso, TX and Jerry Simonds of Rockville IN; four sisters: Iva May of Richmond, CA; Betty Winkler of Nebraska City NE; Carole Rowe of Rockville, IN and Janis and husband Frank Crowner of Nebraska city, NE; sister-in-law Martha McCord of Harlan, IA and brother-in-law Morris Pedersen of Manhattan Beach, CA; many other relatives and friends. Officiating PASTOR STEVE CHELLEW IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH HARLAN, IOWA Honorary Casket Bearers ~ Grandchildren CHRISTOPHER SIMONDS SYDNEY SIMONDS PHILLIP SIMONDS TANAH SIMONDS ZACHARY SIMONDS HANNAH SIMONDS RALPH SHELBY RICHARD