Arnold Simonson Jr.
Arnold Simonson Jr., 89, passed away at his home, Friday April 18, 2025.
Arnold was born August 31, 1935, to Arnold and Rena (Martin) Simonson, in Taylor, where he spent his childhood. As a young child, he attended Rose Hill Grammar until the family relocated to Hixton, where he attended Hixton High School until his graduation in 1953. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp where he served in Japan and San Diego, CA, from 1954 – 1957. He returned home from Japan on leave and married Ruth Eliane Bue, 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 – 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.
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; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was 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.
The funeral service for Arnold will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., 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 at Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Pigeon Falls. A luncheon will be provided at Peace Lutheran Church after the burial services.
Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home of Hixton is assisting the family.
