Jacqueline L. Simonsen

Jacqueline L. Simonsen, known as Jackie by her family and friends, passed away on December 12, 2018 at Avera Sister James Nursing Home, Yankton, South Dakota at the age of 87. Memorial Mass will be 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton with Reverend Larry Regynski officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton. A gathering of friends and family will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, December 17, 2018 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a rosary at 6:30 PM followed by a vigil service and VFW Auxiliary service. Jackie was born June 11, 1931 in Yankton to Hugh and Mary (Kreiner) Craney. She attended Sacred Heart School though the 8th grade and graduated from Yankton High School in 1950. On June 12, 1950 she married the love of her life, “Jensie”, Jens Simonsen at Sacred Heart Church in Yankton. She and Jens lived on a farm in Yankton County for a short time, but it didn’t take long to realize that Jackie had not grown up living in the country so town life would be better for them and they moved back into Yankton before the corn froze. They moved to 813 Burleigh, only a block from Jackie’s parents at 813 Picotte. This is where Jackie would call home even after Jens passed away in 1975. Jackie remained there until 2015 when she moved to Sunrise Apartments in Yankton. Jackie loved Sunrise Apartments; she loved her apartment, morning and afternoon coffee times, the managers and all of the people that resided there, especially her new friend and next door neighbor, Mary Dreesen. Jackie and Jens were not blessed with any children of their own, but this also allowed Jackie time to be active in the VFW Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters and the Women of the Moose organizations. She was a member of each for over 50 years and received many honors from them. She also belonged to The American Legion Auxiliary for over 20 years. Jackie worked for Charles Gurney from 1951 to1954, then for Gurney Seed & Nursery for 48 years until it closed in 2000. She loved working for Gurneys and her wonderful bosses Marvin Teget and Don Kruml, who were not only her bosses, but became her very good friends always being there when she needed them most. Jackie also worked for “Mr. Clean”, John Keyes, in Yankton for a year until she suffered a stroke. Jackie had a love of God and was always thankful for her favorite Saint, St. Anthony, the finder of lost items, to which she prayed hundreds of times. She adored St. Jude, Patron of the Impossible and St. Patrick, her Irish Saint. Jackie always felt blessed to have family and countless good friends. She thanked God for the many loves of her life, Jens of course, also Jacque (her poodle), Kenny Killian, her nieces and nephews, the Simonsen’s, Wilcox’s and Stuen’s. Jackie had a special place in her heart and was especially thankful for her nephew, Donnie Simonsen and his son, Joey Simonsen who were so kind and caring to her. She was very thankful for her great friends from Gurneys and the VFW, for Dr. Aannig and Dr. Fanta and the wonderful Nuns at Sacred Heart School. She also wanted to send special thanks and her love to Joyce, Cheryl, Dale and Conley. Jackie is survived by the extended families of Wilbert Simonsen, Marvin (Esther) Wilcox, Merlyn (Betty) Stuen, Gilbert Simonsen, Chris Simonsen, Henry Simonsen, Oscar Simonsen, Ted Chamberlain, and Jim Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband Jens, her parents in 1973 and 1971, a brother William Peter Craney who died shortly after birth and her Aunt Maggie Johnson who cared for her when she was young. Growing up, many of us nieces and nephews can remember Jackie always telling us that “she was our favorite Aunt”, and for many of us that was so true. It is with a sad heart we say goodbye to our favorite Aunt Jackie, but we know she is with the Lord and with her “Jensie” smiling down at us from Heaven. To post an online sympathy message please visit, www.wintzrayyfuneralhome.com.