HOWARD LEE SIMONTON

Howard Lee Simonton, the son of Clinton and Sadie (Rentschler) Simonton, was born on August 8, 1941, in a farm house in Nuckolls County Nebraska. He passed away on June 3, 2010, at Valley Hospital Medical Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 68 years, 9 months and 26 days. 

Howard was baptized and confirmed at the Christ's Lutheran Church in Davenport, Nebraska. He was a farmer’s son learning to work as farm boys do.  He graduated from Davenport High School in 1959. In 1962, Howard graduated from Milford Trade School in auto body and was a magnificent painter. Howard and Joleen Schardt were married at Trinity Lutheran Church, Friedensau, north of Deshler on August 19, 1962 and to this union two sons were born Dana Dee Simonton and Eric Lee.  In 1965 Howard joined the Army National Guard for four years.  After basic training he continued on to OCS-Officer’s Cadet School.  After graduating from trade school, Howard worked for Dean Brothers Rambler in Lincoln for several years, also doing work at home on the side.  Then he hired onto the Burlington Northern Railroad for several years before going into business on his own.  He ran two businesses in Lincoln as well as being a landlord to two rental properties. In approximately 1973 Howard pulled up stakes and moved to Denver, Colorado.  While there he managed the LaDonna Apartment's and got into construction.  About 26 years ago Howard moved to Las Vegas, Nevada.  There he worked on construction.  He built homes and remodeled homes.  Howard also did some fantastic work on casinos, having to do with their interior design.  He also helped on constructing casinos from the ground up.  He continued working to the end by doing smaller home renovations and a lot of heavy cement work. Howard met his life long companion, Linda Nieme, about a year before moving to Las Vegas.  He and Linda spent approximately 22-23 years together. Howard was a good hard working man.  Good to many.  We loved him and he will surely be missed.

Howard was preceded in death by his father, Clinton Ford Simonton, 1 brother, Merlin Lyn Simonton, his companion, Linda Nieme, 1 brother-in-law, Elmer Bonin, 2 nieces, Debra Bonin and Sherry Fox, 2 nephews, Clinton A. Simonton and Randy Studey. He is survived by his mother, Sadie Simonton of Davenport; 2 sons: Dana Simonton and wife, Shyran of N. Las Vegas; and Eric and wife, “Joe” Josephine of Ordway, Colorado; 1 brother, Dean Simonton and wife, LaDonna of Campbell, NE; and 1 sister Faye Bonin of Grafton, NE; granddaughters, Amanda Simonton and Samantha Simonton; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services: Monday, June 14, at 10:30 AM at Christ's Lutheran Church, Davenport, Nebraska

Interment: Davenport City Cemetery, Davenport, Nebraska 

Memorials: to the family's choice