Ben R. Simon

Ben R. Simon, 82 of Devils Lake formerly of the Hampden/Starkweather entered into Eternal Glory on May 22, 2008 after a lingering illness with his loving family and friends by his side. Funeral Services for Ben will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the River of Life, Assembly of God Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Kevin Anderson and Rev. Robert Knight will officiate and burial will be in the Storlie Cemetery, rural Hampden, ND. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:30 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Ben will be Wayne Simon, Bruce Simon, Roger Pederson, Steve Pederson, Douglas Anda, Scotty Anderson, Kelly Halverson and Greg Leighninger Music will be Congregational Hymns, Kathy Gewont, pianist and also Special Delivery-Chuck Damschen, Naomi Damschen and Cathy Anfinson. Ben R. Simon was born on December 15, 1925, to Herman and Helen (Padrutt) Simon. He was raised on the family farm in the Hampden area and was educated in the Hampden Public School. In 1942, he went to live with his sister, Beatrice, and her husband Palmer Pederson near Starkweather to help with the harvest. In 1950, he rented some land that was known as the Overbo Estate, but continued to help the Pedersons with the farm chores. Ben was always eager to help family and while tending to his brother Norman’s cows for four years during the winter; he also drove the school bus pulled by a team of horses. Some of the former students may remember the fun they had. Ben was inducted into the US Army in 1952 from Devils Lake, ND serving during the Korean War. He was assigned to the Dugway Proving Grounds in Dugway, Utah. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and returned to farming in the Starkweather area. Ben married Edna M. Erickson in the Presbyterian Church in Rolla, ND, on June 4th, 1961. They made their home on the Overbo Estate which he later purchased. Three daughters were born to them: Laurie A. (Leighninger) and Lisa R. (Halverson) were born on October 4, 1962; and Barbra K. (Williams) was born on August 24, 1964. Ben purchased land north of Starkweather known as the Almer Auguston farm. The family later purchased a house in Starkweather and lived there until 1977 when they built a home on the Garske farm which Ben had previously purchased. They lived there until moving to Devils Lake in the fall of 2007. Both Ben and Edna were born into the family of God on April 8, 1973 in the Methodist Church in Starkweather where Ben held positions on various church boards. He also served on the ASCS County Board for a term and was a member of the Farmers Union Organization. Ben loved to work and was always willing to help others. He talked a lot about the horses on the family farm and appreciated all wild life. He owned two Arabian horses which he taught his girls to ride and attempted to teach the same to his wife. Ben enjoyed boating and water skiing until his legs became too weak because of surgeries during the Army years. He taught his wife and daughters to water ski. The boat actually went on the honeymoon to Gull Lake in Minnesota. He was a loving father, husband and a great provider for his family. He loved his family and his Lord with all his heart. Ben is survived by his loving wife of nearly 47 years, Edna Daughters: Laurie A. Leighninger and her husband, Greg of Albuquerque, New Mexico Lisa R. Halverson and her husband, Kelly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Barbra K. Williams and her husband, Don also of Albuquerque Grandsons: Joshua A. and Benjamin R. Leighninger and Bryce I. and Laine J. Williams Sister: Gertrude M. Anda of Fargo Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Hovey, Earl, Kenny and Norman Simon; sisters, Beatrice Pederson, Marie Woldmoe and Iris Herman.