Sam Simnioniw, 89, formerly of the Gorham and Belfield area died Thursday, May 22, 2008 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Sam’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield with Fr. Shannon Lucht as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery with military honors provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post #144. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and beginning at 5 p.m., Monday at the church with a Knights of Columbus rosary and vigil at 6 p.m.. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.
Sam Simnioniw was born January 17, 1919 on the family place near Gorham as the son of Wallace and Mary (Kordon) Simnioniw. He was raised in the Gorham area where he received his education. Sam served in the CCC’s where he would ride horse from the home place to Medora to work.
Sam joined the United States Army and served honorably from February 6, 1942 to January 26, 1946 as part of the amphibious tractor transportation division. Upon his discharge he returned to the Gorham area.
Sam married Cecelia Boltz on June 5, 1947 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Together they farmed, ranched and raised their family in the Gorham area, eventually moving to and taking over Sam’s parents place. Sam during this time also worked for Union Carbide, Billings County Road & Bridge and the North Dakota State Highway Department. Sam and Cecelia moved to a home north of Belfield, continuing to farm and ranch until retiring in 1992. In the mid 1990’s they moved into Belfield and Sam remained there until February 13, 2008 when he became a resident of the St. Luke’s Home.
Sam enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing cards (having taught the kids to play at a young age), he loved living on the edge of the Badlands, and his real passion has always been his cattle and horses. Sam also belonged to the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.
Sam was a man of high Christian values, and will be remembered as an honorable, kind, compassionate and humble man. He lived a life with high values and always appreciated good people and hard work. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Sam is survived by his wife, Cecelia; 12 children, Bob of Bismarck, Pat Eckes of Dickinson, Connie (Mike) Kasian of Belfield, Mary (Dale) Schaff of Williston, Les (Tammy) of South Heart, Ed (Sandra) of Belfield, Kathy (Al) Hecker of Dickinson, Karla (Dennis) Schaff of Belfield, Erv (Lene`) of Westminster, Colo., Wayne (Carol) of Minneapolis, Minn., Bill (Greta) of Denver, Colo., and Ernie (Dixie) of Dickinson; 32 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Joanne Simnioniw of Spokane, Wash.; and his cousin and best friend, Ben Kordon. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Bruce Simnioniw, one brother, two sisters, granddaughter, Lisa Schaff, and son-in-law, Jack Eckes.
