Herald Journal Publishing

Publisher of Herald Journal, Dassel-Cokato Enterprise Dispatch, Delano Herald Journal, McLeod County Chronicle, Arlington Enterprise, & West Carver News

Lillian ‘Leone’ Simonson-Wegener Obituary – 4/30/2010


Lillian Leone Simonson-Wegener, age 96, of Hutchinson, died Friday, April 30, 2010, at Birchwood Hospice House in Hutchinson.

She was born Jan. 3, 1914, in Cokato, the daughter of John and Myrtle (Fultz) Hess. Leone was baptized as an infant, and was confirmed in her faith as a youth.

She attended country school in a one-room school in her home area of Cokato.

In 1930, Leone was united in marriage to Nick Simonson. To this union, five children were born. They shared 39 years of marriage until Nick passed away in 1969.

In 1989, Leone married Purl Wegener. They shared four years of marriage before Purl passed away in 1993.

Leone was a homemaker and housewife who loved to also do volunteer work at nursing homes and hospitals. She was a member of the Senior Center at Kingston and Dassel.

Leone enjoyed listening to music, gardening, and tending to her flowers. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Gloria O’Neill and husband, Gene, of Hutchinson, Howard Simonson and wife, Karen, of Fridley, and Jan Lenz and husband, Mike, of Brooklyn Park; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

In addition to her spouses, Leone was preceded in death by her parents, John and Myrtle Hess; sons Larry Simonson and Ron Simonson; and siblings John Hess and Loretta Sangren.

Funeral services took place Monday, May 3, at 11 a.m. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson, with interment in Riverside Cemetery in French Lake Township, Annandale.Pastor Jon and Pastor Mary Woetzel officiated. Organist was Julie Puder, who also sang “In The Garden,” and “Beyond The Sunset.”

Casket bearers were Tim Simonson, Brad Simonson, Kevin Fisher, Scott Lenz, and Michael Lenz Jr.

Arrangements were by the Dobratz-Hantge Chapel of Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com; please click on Obituaries/Guest Book.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.