Alan E. Simonsen, Waupaca, WI, formerly of Racine, age 89, passed away, peacefully at his residence, on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, with his daughter, Linda, at his side.
Al was born in Racine on May 16, 1925, the son of the late Einer and Alice (nee: Kasper) Simonsen. Al graduated from Union Grove High School in 1942 and the Merchant Marine Academy in 1945. He served with the Merchant Marines from May 1943 until March of 1946. Al insured his clients in Racine, for nearly 45 years. In his early years he was with Prudential Insurance from 1947-1956, CRB Insurance, 1956-1957, and David Insurance from 1957 until 1968. In 1968 he became associated with the Sid Nelson Agency. In 1970 Al bought the agency and changed the name to the Al Simonsen-Sid Nelson Agency. He owned and operated the agency until his retirement in 1990. Al was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watersmeet, MI and St. Patrick Catholic Church, in Lebanon, WI. He was a Past President of the Racine Rotary, the Racine Zoological Society, and the Racine Independent Insurance Agents, Past Board Member of the Wisconsin Insurance Agents, and a Past President of the St. Monica’s Board of Directors. Al enjoyed hunting and fishing at his beloved Crooked Lake.
Surviving are his children, Thomas “Simo” (Mary) Simonsen, of Racine, Linda (Richard) Freitag, of Milwaukee; grandchildren, Michael (Oksana) Simonsen of Chicago, Amy Simonsen of Racine, Christina (Howard) Vredeveld of Lowell, WI; great-grandchildren, Melissa Makovec, Brandon and Kaden Vredeveld, all of Lowell, WI; brothers, Frank (Dorothy Veres) Simonsen, of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Ralph (Janice) Simonsen, of North Carolina; special friends, Frank Artru, and the Mary Draeger family. His nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends also survived. In addition to his parents, Al was preceded in death by his two wives; granddaughter, Natalie Kaye Simonsen; and brother Eugene “Simie” (Betty) Simonsen.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Rd, Racine, at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, July 9th, with Rev. Steve Varghese officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In keeping with Al’s wishes, cremation will follow and burial will be take place in Watersmeet, MI.