Final Salute

Celebration of Life Service for Burdell Simonson, 85 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Family Life Assembly of God Church, Sisseton, SD with Pastor Vern Donnell officiating. Organist will be Sara Aadland and special music by Meranda Shindelbower, Tim Farmen, Mark Brooks and Del Williams. Urn Bearer will be Timothy Simonson. Inurnment will be in the One Road Bethel Cemetery, Sisseton, SD with Military Rites by Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 and Fort Sisseton VFW Post #3342. There will be visitation one hour prior to the Memorial Service at the Church. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Burdell was born September 2, 1936, on the Simonson Homestead, Roberts County, SD. Burdell was united in marriage to Joyce Johnson on October 2, 1956. He was very mechanically inclined. He worked with his father-in-law Jewett Johnson on road construction until he joined the Navy in 1969. He proudly served in the Navy for 20 years and retired a chief Petty Officer as a Seabee. He served in Vietnam for 2 years. He was stationed all over the world during his career, from Adak, Alaska to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. On Adak Island, at the end of the Aleutian chain, he served as a lay minister for four years bringing many of our brave military men to Christ.

When he retired in Chula Vista, CA in 1989, he worked as a cabinet maker. This became his lifetime hobby and it brought him great joy when he created a masterpiece in wood for his kids and grandkids. He moved to Poulsbo, WA for many years and then moved back to his hometown, Sisseton, SD where he built his dream home and dream workshop. He wanted to have a place where his friends, relatives, and especially his kids and their families could come and stay…forever if he had his way!

Burdell loved his family and his church. He loved to sing and read his bible. He loved to build things in his woodworking shop, loved the outdoors, planting trees and mowing the lawn. The highlight of his week was Friday breakfast with the relatives and friends… and you could always stop by the “ranch” and have a cup of coffee … and “talk smart.” Burdell passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2021, at Coteau des Prairies Hospital in Sisseton, SD.

Burdell is survived by his wife, Joyce Simonson of Sisseton, SD; one son, Timothy (Dawn) Simonson of Poulsbo, WA and one daughter, Kim (Pastor Gordon) Williams of Bismarck, ND, Kystal’s husband Del Williams of Sisseton ; one sister, Luella George of Browns Valley, MN; three brothers, Kervin (Nancy) Simonson of Sisseton, SD, Rodney Simonson of Sisseton, SD, Arden Simonson of Sisseton, SD. Six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Burdell was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Krystal Williams and one son Troy Simonson; and one brother, Orris Simonson.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the One Road Bethel Cemetery in care of Phyllis Gunderson 12758 Gunderson Ave Sisseton, SD 57262. For obituary and online registry, please visit www.cahillfuneralchapel.com