Elly Simonson
Funeral services for Elenore Eva Simonson (Elly) will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at St.
John’s Lutheran Church east of Plentywood. Interment of cremated remains will follow the
service.
Surrounded by her loving family Elenore, 69, passed away peacefully on May 11, after battling
cancer for 12 years. She left us with the same quiet dignity that so inspired all who knew her.
Elenore was born December 1, 1939, to Alphonse and Suzanne Stieb in Leask,
Saskatchewan, Canada. She grew up on her family’s farm and attended Mount Teviot School,
later moving to Leask to complete high school. She completed business school and went to
work for the Canadian government as a stenographer. Her job assignments included work in
Indian education services in the Northwest Territories and as assistant to the warden of the
federal penitentiary in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. It was in Prince Albert that Elenore met
and fell in love with Bill Simonson, a farmer and rancher from Plentywood, Montana. They were
married in Prince Albert on March 6, 1971, and moved to Bill’s farm east of Plentywood.
Funeral services for Elenore Eva Simonson (Elly) will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at St.
John’s Lutheran Church east of Plentywood. Interment of cremated remains will follow the
service.
Surrounded by her loving family Elenore, 69, passed away peacefully on May 11, after battling
cancer for 12 years. She left us with the same quiet dignity that so inspired all who knew her.
Elenore was born December 1, 1939, to Alphonse and Suzanne Stieb in Leask,
Saskatchewan, Canada. She grew up on her family’s farm and attended Mount Teviot School,
later moving to Leask to complete high school. She completed business school and went to
work for the Canadian government as a stenographer. Her job assignments included work in
Indian education services in the Northwest Territories and as assistant to the warden of the
federal penitentiary in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. It was in Prince Albert that Elenore met
and fell in love with Bill Simonson, a farmer and rancher from Plentywood, Montana. They were
married in Prince Albert on March 6, 1971, and moved to Bill’s farm east of Plentywood.
| . . . . in Memory of . . . . |
Elenore’s attention turned to farm and family. Home was always filled with activity, warmth, much laughter, and the smell of fresh-baked
bread. She instilled in her children a love of reading, travel, and adventure. Most of all, she encouraged all her children and
grandchildren to follow their dreams. She was a constant and steadfast supporter, whether that meant attending countless concerts
and recitals or criss-crossing the state to watch baseball, basketball, or football games. She and Bill were proud Griz parents while their
oldest son, Eric, played for the nation’s #1 NCAA-1AA championship football team at the University of Montana in Missoula.
Elly worked at Montana State Bank for 14 years. Her dedication was extraordinary; after being diagnosed with cancer in 1995, she
scheduled her treatments around her working hours. “The girls” at the bank had a special place in Elly’s heart, and are designated as
honorary pallbearers for her funeral. Besides work, Elly and Bill enjoyed travel and took many family trips, bus tours, and weekend
jaunts, often in the company of their dear friends, Russell and Phyllis Fink. They were also active members of their congregation at St.
John’s Lutheran Church.
Elly was preceded in death by her parents, Alphonse Stieb and Suzanna (Stieb) Kriese, and by three brothers who died in infancy. She is
survived by her husband Bill, daughter Debbie (Rick) Orozco, sons Eric (Holly) and Kenneth (Pam), all of Plentywood, son Chuck of
Tucson, Arizona, two brothers Bill (Bernice) Stieb and Richard (Vi) Stieb of Saskatchewan, seven grandchildren--Alyssa, Marshall,
Dakota, Kia, Kate, Mesa, and Ella--, her lifelong friend Phyllis Fink, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Angel Tree Project, The American Cancer Society, or the donor’s charity of choice.
Elenore loved butterflies and had an extensive collection of butterfly-themed knick-knacks. Her attitude towards leaving us can be
summed up in this quote:
“Like the graceful butterfly, my soul has just changed form. My time had come, I had to leave, I'm in God's arms so do not grieve. Brought
on the wings of butterflies, I'm safe back home in paradise.”
bread. She instilled in her children a love of reading, travel, and adventure. Most of all, she encouraged all her children and
grandchildren to follow their dreams. She was a constant and steadfast supporter, whether that meant attending countless concerts
and recitals or criss-crossing the state to watch baseball, basketball, or football games. She and Bill were proud Griz parents while their
oldest son, Eric, played for the nation’s #1 NCAA-1AA championship football team at the University of Montana in Missoula.
Elly worked at Montana State Bank for 14 years. Her dedication was extraordinary; after being diagnosed with cancer in 1995, she
scheduled her treatments around her working hours. “The girls” at the bank had a special place in Elly’s heart, and are designated as
honorary pallbearers for her funeral. Besides work, Elly and Bill enjoyed travel and took many family trips, bus tours, and weekend
jaunts, often in the company of their dear friends, Russell and Phyllis Fink. They were also active members of their congregation at St.
John’s Lutheran Church.
Elly was preceded in death by her parents, Alphonse Stieb and Suzanna (Stieb) Kriese, and by three brothers who died in infancy. She is
survived by her husband Bill, daughter Debbie (Rick) Orozco, sons Eric (Holly) and Kenneth (Pam), all of Plentywood, son Chuck of
Tucson, Arizona, two brothers Bill (Bernice) Stieb and Richard (Vi) Stieb of Saskatchewan, seven grandchildren--Alyssa, Marshall,
Dakota, Kia, Kate, Mesa, and Ella--, her lifelong friend Phyllis Fink, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Angel Tree Project, The American Cancer Society, or the donor’s charity of choice.
Elenore loved butterflies and had an extensive collection of butterfly-themed knick-knacks. Her attitude towards leaving us can be
summed up in this quote:
“Like the graceful butterfly, my soul has just changed form. My time had come, I had to leave, I'm in God's arms so do not grieve. Brought
on the wings of butterflies, I'm safe back home in paradise.”
| 1939 - 2008 |
Remembering Elle
Jeannie Severson
Plentywood, MT
jeannie@nemont.net
Ellie was a remarkable woman and will live on in the memories of many. She certainly was an insperation, not only her family, but to all
who knew her. Her whole family is in my prayers.
Plentywood, MT
jeannie@nemont.net
Ellie was a remarkable woman and will live on in the memories of many. She certainly was an insperation, not only her family, but to all
who knew her. Her whole family is in my prayers.