Richard Allen “Rick” Simonson, age 65, passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside at 8:00 p.m. on November 14, 2014 in Choteau, Montana. His illness of lung cancer was diagnosed in direct connection to Agent Orange exposure while in Vietnam. Rick never gave up on a cure and fought whole heartedly until the end.
Richard was born the eighth child to Norman and Esther (Steinke) Simonson in Mondovi, Wisconsin on July 16, 1949. Wisconsin always remained his “home” in his heart, although he has resided in Montana for most of his life.
At the age of 15 he moved in with his sister, Elaine “Tootsy”, and her three children, Steve, Mike, and Diane; whom Rick considered to be more like brothers and sister throughout the remainder of his life.
On August 6, 1969, Rick was inducted into the United States Army and served in Vietnam, was wounded and was a Purple Heart recipient. Rick was honorably discharged August 5, 1971. Vietnam never sat easy with him at heart yet it remained as “nothing but a thing” and was just the way it was “so be it”.
Following his discharge from the Army, Rick married Marci Oliver. Marci had a daughter Brandi, who Rick accepted and loved as his own. Marci and Rick were blessed with their son, Richard Allen, Jr. After their relationship dissolved, Rick moved to Montana and met Mickie Johnson. They were married December 18, 1986 in Helena. Mickie had five children from a previous marriage; Justin, Jennifer, Jeremy, Jessica and Jamie, again Richard accepted them as his own and became very close to them. Together, Rick and Mickie had two daughters, Janessa Ann and Jacquelyn.
Rick worked as an auto mechanic and always performed it with passion. Anyone with car troubles could always count on Rick to not only know the problem but fix it as well. In his free time, Rick’s number one passion was fishing. A love he passed on and taught to his children and friends. The greatest memories of Rick took place with a fishing pole in his hand.
Rick also loved Harley Davidsons. The bikes he owned, he cherished and rode often until he no longer could ride them. Rick treasured his Harley Davidson collectible bikes. Rick also enjoyed playing cards, which he often won money doing. We all have memories of Rick bragging about his poker wins.
More than anything, Rick enjoyed being with his family and friends. He always made every event into a good time and had the ability of making everyone around him laugh. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Rick is survived in death by his wife, Mickie Simonson; son, Richard Allen Simonson, Jr. (Jamie); daughters, Janessa Ann Simonson (Jake) and Jacquelyn Summer Simonson (Tim); step children, Brandi, Justin, Jennifer, Jeremy, Jessica, and Jamie; brothers, Gary Simonson (Kris), Donny Simonson (Debbie), and Orv Simonson (Enid); sisters, Sherri Martinson (Bud), Jeannie McLaughlin (Johnny), and Beverly Klaus; grandchildren, Saydee Lee, Drayke Richard, Dayton Allen, Nevaeh Summer, Brooklynn Ryan, and Layla Haven. He is also survived by his previous wife, Marci (Oliver) Hummel, step grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rudy Simonson; sisters Elaine Bursaw, Ellen Riggs and Emily Simonson; and close friends, Benny Ford and Walter “Sonny Boy” Carrier.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Rick.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:30 a.m.
Thursday November 20, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Thursday November 20, 2014
Anderson Stevenson WIlke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
2:00 p.m.
Thursday November 20, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:30 a.m.
Thursday November 20, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Thursday November 20, 2014
Anderson Stevenson WIlke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
2:00 p.m.
Thursday November 20, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Jacquelyn Simonson says
I love you Daddy. May you rest in peace and rejoice with us as we celebrate your life. You are one of a kind and I’m so proud to call you my Dad. I love you always and forever….
Jacqui
Janessa says
I miss your laugh, your smile, your hugs, and your personality already. I will carry a part of you always with me the rest of My life. I’m glad you are in a better place and your pain is taken away. The celebration we created of your life journey is going to be unforgettable, I hope you are smiling down on all that love and care about you as we celebrate your life.
Love Your “babe”, Janessa
Jeannie Mclaughlin says
I will miss you forever Rick your smile your jokes and everything about you i love you .
Lynn Worsech says
Rick alway brought a smile to my face. He always made me feel welcomed in his home. My prayers and thoughts go out to the family.
Donna Carrier says
loved you like a brother til the day you past, my kids always thought of you as uncle Rick, will always remember all our family camping trips and that smile of your and just your loving heart. Sonnyboy and Benny will recieve you with open arms my friend. prayers and thoughts go out to your family.
Marci (Simonson) Hummel says
Just thinking about some of the life experiences with you, some fantabulous, some not so good, but time heals the hurt, the loss and good memories always fill the gap. In Wisconsin at Christmas when you brought in a giant tree, it was taller that the 2 story stairwell, even, so, what did you do? Yep, cut the top down until it fit, and tried to convince me that was the way EVERYBODY did it! You were charming, Tootsie told me that you could charm a nun out of her underwear, she was probably right! When you were good, you were a wonderful, talented. loving man. A guy that could do anything he put his mind to: building, fixing, making anything especially if you were told that it wouldn’t work! I remember breaking all those horses, and the fun we all had riding in Wisconsin. Stopping on the way home from a ride, at the bar, staying until closing time, and you wouldn’t check you cinch and so when you tried the “Lone Ranger” mount and came flying out the door to jump on your horse, the saddle slipped around to Libertys belly, and the greatest, albeit short, rodeo ensued! I will always be grateful for the gift of our son, Richard Allen Simonson Jr. Had you known him better, you would be so proud of him. He grew up to be a wonderful man and father. He knows in his heart what not to do. You did however, instill in him the love of nature, outdoors, hunting, and yes, gave him part of your passion for fishing.
You will always be loved, “Gone but not Forgotten”
An American Citizen says
Rick
I didn’t know you, but I want to thank you and your family for your service to our country.
My you rest in peace.
Danielle Simonson says
I will miss your smile your laughter sense of humor!!!!! The one memory I take with me is you hitting up the family kids on the 4th of July parade for there licorice:) Rest in peace. love your niece Danielle
Deana Henderson says
My Thoughts and Prayers to all the Family. I have known most of you for years. (siblings) I also want to give my thoughts and Prayers to Joyce Page, a good friend of Rick’s. She tried to turn Rick’s life around and he got sick before that was possible. My Love to all
Don Simonson says
Rick you were the brother I needed in my live for you did Just what you wanted and loved the ones that loved you if it was only for that night you are with me American boy. Love you forever your brother Don.