Arnold Simonson Jr.

1935 - 2025

Arnold Simonson Jr.
Born: August 31, 1935
Died: April 18, 2025
Arnold Simonson Jr. 89, passed away at his home on Friday, April 18, 2025.
Arnold was born on August 31, 1935 in Taylor, WI, where he spent his childhood, to Arnold and Rena (Martin) Simonson. As a young child he attended Rose Hill Grammar until the family relocated to Hixton, WI, where he attended Hixton High School until his graduation in 1953. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps, where he served in Japan and San Diego, CA from 1954 to 1957. He returned home from Japan on leave and married Ruth Eliane Bue on August 18, 1956. After finishing his tour of duty they moved to Chicago, IL where he began his 43 year career as a professional driver. First with CTA, Chicago Transit Authority, then with Greyhound Bus Lines, where he worked from 1961 to 1991. During his time with Greyhound he earned several service awards including 29 years of safe driving without an accident. Retiring from Greyhound in 1991 he finished his driving career driving semi-truck for Carrier Transit until 2001.
Arnold enjoyed hunting, planning and scheduling many trips to different states for deer hunting and also a trip to Canada to moose hunt. He enjoyed motorcycle riding, he and Ruth and several other family members along with multiple friends would travel during the summer months to visit national parks and visit sites in different states for over 15 years. Arnold enjoyed playing cards, working in the woods, cutting trees and selling firewood and driving his Farmall tractor. He was also a true diehard Cubs baseball fan from childhood.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Rena Simonson; two sisters, Barbara Neitzke and Pheobe Phillipson; four brothers-in-law, Gerald Linnell, Robert Phillipson, Jerome Neitzke, Steven Stenberg, Sr.; daughter-in-law, Cindy Simonson; and son in-law, Ron Hitchcock.
Arnold's memory will forever be held in the hearts of his loving wife Ruth; his children, sons Jeffrey (Susan) Simonson, Vincent Simonson, Giles Simonson; daughter, Laura Hitchcock; three sisters, Phyllis Linnell, Sonja (Dale) Lyngen and Annabelle Stenberg; grandchildren, Tara (Darren) Plastina, David Huhn, Elaine (Eli) Ramos, Donnie Hitchcock, Nicole (Mike) Swegle, Suzann (Brian) Walton, Jarrett (Ashley) Sullivan, Adam (Kaylee) Sullivan; 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Arnold will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday May 3, 2025 at Peace Lutheran Church in Pigeon Falls. A visitation will be held at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will immediately follow the service in Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Pigeon Falls. A luncheon will be provided at the Peace Lutheran Church after the burial services.
The Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home of Hixton is assisting the family.