Randall Simonson

Randall John "Randy" Simonson, age 64, of Kiester, MN, died Monday, October 1, 2018 at his brothers home. A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Kiester, MN, with Pastor Kris Ferkin officiating. Visitation will be Friday, October 5, 2018 at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells from 4:00-7:00 PM and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Interment will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Winnebago Co., IA. Randy was born September 8, 1954 in Wells, MN, the son of Irvin and Dorothy (Swenson) Simonson, the oldest of 7 children. Randy graduated from Kiester High School in 1972. He worked for an area farmer and at the Kiester Elevator before going into the trucking business with his father. Randy also worked as a bartender and in construction for many years before his retirement. Randy married Bonnie Knutson, and to this union three sons were born. The couple later divorced. Randy served on the Kiester City Council from January 1988 through December 1995 as well as on the Kiester Economic Development Agency (EDA). While a council member, he was instrumental in negotiating with the then Naeve Hospital Association to keep the Kiester Community Clinic open here when its closure was threatened. He devoted countless hours to the community in the early 1990s, working hard to piece together a plan to redevelop the Kiester Main Street block which resulted in the construction of the Kiester Retail Center project. He also taught Sunday school at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Randy was a lifelong Kiester resident and thought that there was no better place to live in the world. Randy loved doing the Sunday crossword puzzle and enjoyed bowling and deer and pheasant hunting in his younger days. He was a loyal Vikings fan, and passed down his love of the team to his sons. Randy was a recovering alcoholic with many years of sobriety, he loved to laugh and share a story over coffee. Randy is preceded in death by his parents, and sister Susan. He is survived by his sons: John Simonson of Wells, MN, Matt Simonson and Bryan Simonson both of Denver, CO; step-sons: Jeremey Knutson of Grand Rapids, MI, and Brandon Krueger of Denver, CO; siblings: Tim Simonson of Kiester, MN, Kathy Simonson of Blue Earth, MN, Darla Simonson of Dallas, TX, Richelle Simonson of Columbus, OH, and Marsha (Steve) Henderson of Atlanta, GA; many nieces and nephews and their families.