Maurice Simpson

Funeral Service for Maurice Dale Simpson, age 82, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, formerly of Herman, Minnesota will be held Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman, Minnesota with Pastor Lloyd Heroff officiating. Pallbearers will be Dustin Niemeier, Steven Niemeier, Shane Heimgartner, Dale Heimgartner, Lance Janssen and Joshua Bellows. Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery, rural Herman. Military Rites will be provided by the Herman American Legion Post #378. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 10th from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a time of sharing at 6:30 at Bethel Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time at the church on Wednesday. The Ranney-Bainbridge Funeral Home of Herman, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements. Maurice was born at home February 3, 1930, the third of five children, born to John Charles and Ella (Brunkow) Simpson. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Herman Public School. He attended the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus. Following his studies, he spent a few months working in the Hanna Iron Mines near Keewatin, MN. Maurice was drafted into the Korean Conflict and served from January 1952 through January 1954. For his service he received the Parachute Badge, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Korean Service Ribbon with two bronze service stars. On June 15, 1952 Maurice was united in marriage to Millicent Baumgardt in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. When Maurice returned from Korea, the couple began their farming career in the Herman area. He began driving school bus for the Herman Schools in 1961, later becoming their full-time Transportation Supervisor until his retirement 35 years later. He was active in the American Legion, Logan Township Board, 187th Airborne Rakkasans, Our Saviours Lutheran Church Council, and as a snowmobile safety course instructor. He had a passion for hunting, fishing, music and friends. He will be remembered for his many fun loving antics. He will definitely keep them on their toes in Heaven. Maurice died Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at Lake Region Health Care in Fergus Falls. Preceding him in death were his wife Millicent Simpson, his parents and son-in-law James Kost. Survivors include his six children: Cynthia Kost of Moorhead, Keith Simpson of Herman, Eileen (Bradley) Niemeier of Benson, June (Steven) Janssen of Fergus Falls, Trina (Timothy) Heimgartner of Greeley, Colorado, and Chad (Lisa) Simpson of Kensington; 13 grandchildren: Samantha and Stephanie Kost, Dustin (Christina) Niemeier, Melanie (Mathew) Dokkebakken, Crystal (Tyler) DeVore, Steven Niemeier, Elizabeth (Joshua) Anderson, Lance Janssen, Shane and Dale Heimgartner, Joshua (Patti) Bellows, Cassie (Ryan) Bellows, and Shauna Simpson; five great-grandchildren; and Siblings, Mavis Blume of Herman, Joyce (Neil) Hanson of Herman, Lowell (Barbara) Simpson of Chokio and Cheryl (Robert) Retrum of Willmar.