Catherine "Kate" Simonson

Catherine “Kate” Simonson, age 93, of Mentor, MN, passed away on Monday, July 15th, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile, MN with her family by her side. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 20th, at Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor with the Rev. Michael Sletto officiating. Interment will be in Faith Lutheran Cemetery, Mentor. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Friday, July 19th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Erskine. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Erskine and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Kate was born September 5, 1930 to Ethel and George Windjue in Cando ND. She was one of four girls, along with two brothers. 

She attended Grade/high school in Cando ND although she decided to start her family in light of graduation. 

In the late 1940s two brothers moved to Cando ND to work road construction. While they were working; they were swept off their feet by two local Windjue girls (Kate and her sister Betty). They won over the girls' father by digging their way to the girls by hand when the driveway had snowed in. Not long after Kate married the love of her life Earl on February 22 1949.

They quickly started their family with the birth of their daughter Linda in 1949- They added Cathy in 1952 - and another daughter Cindy (1954). With their sweet girls in tow, in 1956 they moved from Cando ND to the family farm just North of Mentor MN. There they added three more children Trudy (1956) their first born son Rory (1961). During this time they were blessed with many grandbabies before finally adding their final child, a son, Cory (1974). 

Through this union she was blessed with her 6 children, 16 grandchildren, 40 great - grandchildren- and 3 great- great grandchildren. 

Since moving to Mentor MN she has been a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor. She was on various committees and clubs, as well as a very active member of the Pioneer Memorial Care Center Auxiliary Committee. 

Although she did not have many hobbies, she was a devoted housewife, mother, and grandmother. Her home was always open and welcome , always making sure supper was ready for whoever was around to eat. Her yard was meticulous, and one could not count the hours mowing and taking care of flowers. She made the absolute best crab- apple jelly around, and throughout her entire life her greatest joy was always having her kids and grandkids around, cheering them on at all their sporting events. 

In 1993 she lost her husband Earl in a train- vehicle accident in Mentor MN, and although she remained a widow she found great joy spending her mornings with a wonderful group of ladies at the Mentor Cafe. One of her favorite pastimes were the adventures she and her grandson Brad got into road tripping to the Austins in Brainerd often landing them at the casino or various sketchy gas stations looking for the winning scratch off. 

She worked at various businesses in Mentor once her kids were grown, favorites including stocking shelves while visiting with everyone and their neighbor at the grocery store and the Mentor Dairy Queen. Many would say her laugh was infectious and she was never too busy for a visit. Nothing compared to the joy she got helping watch her grandbabies and all their shenanigans.

She resided in Mentor up until May 2022 before moving and receiving incredible care at Fair Meadow Nursing home in Fertile. With her witty comments and sassy remarks she quickly won over the love of many staff members and local residents! 

Kate is survived by 5 children Linda (Steve) Evenson, Erskine- Cindy (Gene) Benson, Mentor - Trudy (Lee) Austin, Baxter - Rory (Margie ) Simonson Mentor - Cory ( Heather ) Simonson Rockford - Son In Law Keith Bruggeman Mentor- 16 Grandchildren Lonnie, Scott, Steven, Jennifer, Becky (Fernando), Shaun (Penny ), Chad (Robin), Brad (Sarah), Kelly (Lexie), Kayla (Virgil), Michael (Julie), Erika (Matt), Lorne , Matthew (Emily), Carly, Ellie - 40 great grandchildren and 3 great - great grandchildren - Sister Betty Simonson Mentor - sister in law Lila (Earl) Lucken Winger - many nieces, nephews- and friends. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Earl, daughter Cathy Bruggeman, one Grandchild Hudson Bruggeman - Parents George and Ethel Windjue - in laws John and Ocie Simonson- two brothers Leland & Lloyd, two sisters Irene & Doris and many other relatives and friends.

Blessed be her memory