Donald J. “Don” Simonieg, 89, Dickinson, died Friday, June 16, 2023 at his home. Don’s Celebration of Life Service will be at 1 p.m., Friday, July 21, 2023 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson.
Donald J. Simonieg was born on April 5, 1934 in Williston, the son of Bert and Mary (McGuire) Simonieg. He was raised and educated in Williston throughout his grade school years. His first job was delivering the Williston Herald in 1944. When Don was in the eighth grade they moved to Fairview, Montana. He excelled in football, basketball and track. Don was a member of the Press Club and Senior Carnival King, having graduated in 1952.
After high school he spent a year at Montana State before leaving to Dickinson State Teachers College. At DSTC he lettered in Football and Track & Field for four years and was a member of Men’s Union and Cue Club, and D Club. He graduated with a Major in PE & Industrial Arts and a Minor in Social Science.
In college he met the love of his life, Joyce Booke and they were married and had three sons. After college, Don coached and taught school in Walhalla, Sawyer and Canyonville, OR. He went on to work for his father at Queen City Motors in Dickinson and eventually purchased the business. His sons, Keith and Tom later joined him as business partners.
Don enjoyed his business career in Dickinson. He was a member of the Dickinson Chamber of Commerce and the Elks Club, NDHS Officials Association and refereed high school basketball and football. He was a lifelong supporter of Dickinson State Athletics and was inducted into the DSU Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1955 Conference Championship Team. He was also elected President of the ND Automobile Dealers Association in 1977.
Don and Joyce were lifelong members of Heart River Golf Course. He had achieved four holes-in-one in his lifetime at Heart River GC. Don enjoyed playing golf with friends, his wife and his family, especially his crew, “the Mafia.” During his retirement years, Joyce and Don spent winters in Palm Desert, CA.
Don lost Joyce in 2013. He mellowed a little in his later years. “I was lucky” he said, when talking about his holes-in-one, “but, not as lucky as when I married Joyce and had grandchildren.”
Don is survived by his sons, Keith (Faith), Dickinson, Dirk, Bismarck, and Tom (Christy), Dickinson; grandchildren, Austin (Marlee) Simonieg, Alex (Brian) Cronnelly, Ryan (Stacie) Messmer, and Brandon (Michaela Biel) Simonieg; great-grandchildren, Rya Messmer, Steja Messmer, Corwyn Simonieg, and Griffin Simonieg; and brother, John (Diane) Simonieg, Punta Gorda, FL.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; his parents; and great-grandson, Finnly.
