Obituary of Paul G. Simonson

Simonson, Paul G. was born Aug. 10, 1952, in Pocatello, Idaho, to George and Deloris (Borgens) Simonson. He attended school in Aberdeen, Idaho, graduating in 1970. Immediately after graduation the family relocated to Ritzville to farm the Borgens Family homestead. Paul went on to college at Columbia Basin College in Pasco and obtained a degree in Applied Welding Science. He worked as a welder in the Seattle shipyards as well as in the Tri-Cities in the Hanford area. He returned to assume the responsibilities of the family farm in Ritzville in 1979. Paul married Carol Sackmann in April 1983. They moved to the farm in 1985 where they have made their home. Paul was active in a variety of groups in the community including the Ritzville Lions Club, Ritzville Classic Car Club, Pheasants Forever, Ritzville Gun Club and the Washington Wheat Growers Association. He was a certified Hunter Education instructor and was passionate about teaching firearm safety to young people.  He was actively involved with his children’s activities throughout their years in Ritzville including coaching t-ball and Little League, float construction for the Ritzville Festivals Association, FFA Alumni volunteer for the trapshooting team and ag mechanics team and a host of other activities. He was an avid hunter and succumbed to an apparent heart attack while elk hunting with a group of his friends in the Blue Mountains near Pomeroy, Wash., on Nov. 30, 2012. Paul is survived by his beloved wife Carol and their three children: Justin Simonson and Travis Simonson of Ritzville and Jennifer Dahl (Enoch) of Wells, NV.  He is also survived by grandchildren Isaiah, Luke and Savannah Dahl, his mother, Deloris Allert of Ritzville, sister Karen Greenwalt of Goldendale and special brothers and sisters-in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the American Legion Hall, 106 W. Broadway in Ritzville. Private inurnment will be at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery. Danekas Funeral Home and Crematory-Ritzville is entrusted with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Inland Northwest Honor Flight inwhonorflight.org/ or the charity of your choice.