Wallace Simunds
November 29, 1925 ~ October 7, 2012
Wallace Allen Simunds passed away October 6, 2012 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was a son of Kathryn T. Simunds and Grant J. Simunds. He was born in Fargo, ND at St. Lukes Hospital on November 29, 1925, but lived the first eighteen years in Moorhead, MN. He attended schools there and graduated from Moorhead High School in June of 1943.
Immediately after graduation, he went to San Diego, CA to seek employment at the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft plant, working in the tool control division.
On January 27, 1944 he joined the U.S. Navy and attended boot camp in Farragut, Idaho. Following that, he received training at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, TN as an aviation radioman and radar operator. He was later assigned to Naval Air stations in Whidbey Island, WA; Jacksonville, FL; Miami, FL; Hutchinson, KS; and Edenton, NC before being discharged in Minneapolis in May of 1946.
Following his discharge from service, he matriculated at the North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo for three years in pre-dental classes. He then applied to the University of Minnesota Dental School in the fall of 1950 for dental training.
On December 29, 1951, he was married to Pearl M. Gabrielson in Hillsboro, ND at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. On June 14, 1952, he received a B.S. degree in Science and on June 12, 1954 his D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota. This had been his personal desire and dream since age 18.
Following graduation, he started his dental practice on July 1, 1954 in Albert Lea, MN and continued there for thirty-five years, retiring to Fargo, ND in October, 1995, to be closer to family and their lake cabin on Pelican Lake near Pelican Rapids, MN.
He leaves his beloved wife, Pearl, of 61 years; a daughter, Joellen (Myron) Skonseng, Fargo; a son, Mark (Erin) in Lino Lakes, MN; and a grandson, Garrett Skonseng, Fargo.
He was preceded in death by his father, Grant, in 1981; and his mother, Kathryn in November of 1996; a brother, John R. in Seattle, February of 2006.
Memorials to the Hospice of the Red River Valley and/or Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead.
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Minneapolis MN
Pearl, JoEllen, Mark, and Erin
I was so sad to hear that Wally had passed away on Saturday. You have my sympathy and are in my prayers. I know how hard it is, and know that it does get better with time. He was always kind to me and I enjoyed any time I visited with him. I remember the last time I was at your house, and what a nice time that was. I’m sorry I was unable to attend the service. I was unable to get the time off of work. I would have like to have been there. Please know that you are in my thoughts and would have really liked to have been there.
Albert Lea Minnesota
With Deepest Sympathy to you and your family.
Bloomington Minnesota
Dear Pearl, Mark, Erin, Jo Ellen, and the rest of the family,
We are so sorry to hear about Wally’s passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. I will never forget the weekend full of Swedish pancakes and sunburns I spent so many years ago up at the lake.
Love, Kendra and Linda Hines
Bloomington, Minnesota
Fargo ND
58104When my Marian and I (and the Simunds)lived on Pelican Lake we always looked forward to seeing, and a short talk, with Wally, Pearl, Joellen, and Mark as they made their daily walk down Anderson Beach Road.
Regarding Wally’s passing, I know their grief as I have been there, and done that.
Having Wally as a beloved life-partner for
61 years is a wonderful thing.
With great sympathy my thoughts are with you.
Dan Reitan and daughter Danielle.
Albert Lea MN
Pearl and family….
Our prayers and sympathy are with your family in the loss of a great neighbor, friend and dentist. Les & Lois
New Richland MN
Pearl, JoEllen & Mark – You have our deepest sympathies! I enjoyed my years of working with Wally in the dental office in Albert Lea! He was always so good to me (as was Pearl too). May God’s love help you at this time of loss. Treasure your memories and know that Wally will always be with you in your hearts! God bless all of you.
Love from Bob & Cyndi Wenzel
Fargo ND
We are so saddened to hear that Wally passed. He was such a nice man and he enjoyed the lake so much. We will really miss him. The girls were especially sad and they have many fond memories of him. He was always so happy to talk with them and listen to their stories and watch them swim and waterski. Ellie still remembers when he took her for a ride on his boat and made her feel so special.
We are going to be away when his funeral takes place and are all disappointed that we will be unable to attend. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Our deepest condolences to Pearl and your family.
The Noah’s – Tom and Kim, Ellie, Sara, and Drew