Nels Leroy Simonsen Obituary (1903 - 2001)

NELS LEROY SIMONSEN BRIGHAM CITY - Nels LeRoy Simonsen, 97, passed away peacefully May 19, 2001, in Brigham City just 30 days before his 98th birthday. He was born June 18, 1903, in Bear River City, a son of Mark Simonsen and Jennette Hutchison Simonsen. On January 4, 1928 Roy married Iva Lue Uarda Olsen in Ogden, Utah. They were later sealed in the Logan Temple. Roy had the Star Mail Route delivering mail from Bear River to Honeyville. He purchased a farm west of Corinne where he farmed for several years. When the Depression hit, he later worked for the State Road Commission laying asphalt and maintaining the roads from the Cache County line through Weber County to the Wyoming border and throughout Box Elder County. Many weeks, days and nights he would be pushing snow to keep the roads open in the winter. Summers were spent paving roads the old fashioned way preparing road beds by mixing the oil with the gravel and then laying it down. He would only be home on weekends. Roy was known to be the best "Patrol Operator" in the state. He also worked many years for Brigham City Corporation before retiring. Roy found pleasure in his little repair shop at home, repairing small engines and bicycles until he was well into his 90's. He always said, "He was a Jack of All Trades, Master of None." Roy did very well at whatever he set his hand to and always had too much work to do to be away from home for very long. He was a hard worker. He lived in his home alone for eleven years after his wife passed away in 1990. Roy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was an active member of the Brigham City 5th and 10th Wards, where he served in the Presidency of the Sunday School, as a Home Teacher, and the High Priest Group Leader. He and his wife served a mission at the Brigham City Tabernacle for several years. Surviving are his son and two daughters. Lee J. (Donna) Simonsen, North Ogden, Mrs. Wayne (Iva Beth Tanner) Wilcox, Brigham City, and Mrs. Jay H. (Doris) Cook, West Point, Utah, 12 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandsons and a daughter-in-law Carol Jacobs Simonsen. Roy was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, one brother, four sisters and a son-in-law, Ralph Dean Tanner. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 24, 2001, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.at the Brigham City 10th Ward Chapel 145 West 500 South. Friends may call Wednesday, May 23, 2001, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary 205 South 100 East Brigham City and on Thursday, May 24 from 10:00 to 10:40 a.m. at the Brigham City 10th Ward. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 May 23, 2001 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceBrigham City 10th Ward Chapel 145 West 500 South Brigham City, UT May 24, 2001 11:00 AM CemeteryBrigham City Cemetery 325 South 300 East Brigham City, Utah 84302 May 24, 2001