JOHN R. "JACK" SIMONSEN, 71, of Quimby, Iowa passed away Monday morning, February 29, 2016 in the Cherokee Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Jack's remains were cremated. There will be no visitation. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is assisting the family with the arrangements. Cards and memorials can be sent to Helen Simonsen P.O. Box 66 Quimby, Iowa 51049 Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Jack was born on November 15, 1944 at Cherokee, Iowa to Doyle & Margaret (Rasmussen) Simonsen. He attended Willow Community School graduating in 1962. He then attended the University of Colorado, later transferring to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he graduated with a Business Degree in Accounting. Jack was married to Helen F. Pendleton on August 22, 1965 at the Quimby United Methodist Church. He was a lifelong resident of Quimby and a member of the Quimby United Methodist Church.

Jack worked for Simonsen Industries for over fifty years. He filled the role of President for over thirty years. Jack also filled a variety of different leadership roles within the Propane Industry. He was a member of the Iowa Propane Association for forty two years and was an officer most of those years. Jack was also a member of the National Propane Gas Association Technology, Standards and Safety Committee for twenty eight years.

Besides Jack's leadership roles within the propane industry, he also served in a variety of other roles with different organizations. He served on the Western Iowa Tech Advisory Board and was on the Blue Cross / Blue Shield executive committee and Board of Directors. Jack also served as Treasurer for Capstone Insurance Company for nine years.

Jack continued his service and leadership roles in his personal interests and hobbies. Through the years, he was a Boy Scout Representative, Willow Township Trustee, and served on the Cherokee County Jury Commission. He was on the Election Board, the Willow Community School Board for eight years, and a volunteer fireman for ten years.

Jack continued his service to the community by filling the role of a Paramedic for twelve years. He also was a computer instructor at Western Iowa Tech for two years.

Besides Jack's tireless service to the community through both his professional and personal interests, he was also a committed loving spouse, father, and grandfather. Jack always had many pearls of wisdom to share to help guide friends and family through the challenges of life. These pearls of wisdom were usually mixed in with some hilarious dry humor. His last words of wisdom to his daughter Jeri were "Don't do dumb things after I'm gone and make sure no one else is dumb either." He was very loved by his family and will be so missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Melvin and Margaret Green; brother-in-law Sam Pendleton, and a nephew Phillip Green.

He is survived by his wife Helen: three children: Jeri (Mike) Johnson of Kiel, WI.; Jon (Marla) Simonsen of Quimby, IA.; Jay (Becky) Simonsen of Start, LA.; 8 grandchildren: Kelsey, Kasey, Karley, Derek, Jacob, Skyler, Noah, and Annabelle; his siblings: Ann (Ray) Drefke of Marcus, IA.; Mark (Kathy) Simonsen of Cherokee, IA.; Karen (Mike) McMahon of Libertyville, IL.; Kristie (Rich) Brown of Sioux City, IA.; Kira (Alan) Freilich of Moorhead, IA.; three brothers-in-law: Larry (Joyce) Pendleton of Olathe, KS.; John (Bau) Green of Raeford, N.C.; Ron (Cathy) Green of Simpsonville, S.C.; also many nieces and nephews.