In Memory of Danel Simonson

Danel Simonson, age 66, of Arthur, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 3, 2023, at the United Methodist Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. Ken Miller will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove & Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Danel Renee Simonson, age 66 of Arthur, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa. Danel was born on December 14, 1956, to Duane and Donna (Haefner) Simonson of Arthur. She was the second of six children. 

At an early age she developed a deep love for animals of all shapes and sizes. Her siblings remember on several occasions that DNR officers would stop by the house to ask Danel to release the raccoons she kept as pets under their treehouse. Her childhood was full of adventure and mischief. Her teen years were spent playing softball and basketball as well as being active in the FFA. She was very proud of the fact she was the first girl to join FFA in Odebolt, Iowa.

After graduating from Odebolt-Arthur High School in 1975, she attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. It was there where she developed a die-hard fandom for the Cyclones. Danel made many memories being a member of the scuba and skydiving clubs. In the summer months she would come home to be a lifeguard at both the Odebolt and Wall Lake pools. She developed a real passion for the water and made lasting friendships with all the kids in town. Working as a lifeguard also gave her an opportunity to save money to order her prized blue Jeep CJ7. 

College was where Danel’s love of adventure and the outdoors really shined. After leaving ISU, she returned to Arthur and to her parents’ dismay, she opened Buddies Pizza. While setting up a beer garden for the town centennial, she met Kevin Frank. The two would marry and go on to have four children: Whitney, Nick, Joel, and Kiley. She loved being a mother. She raised her kids by example teaching them to be free thinkers, strong, independent, how to love animals, and most importantly how to spark a conversation with strangers. Danel rarely missed a ball game, concert, or event. She volunteered as Room Mother for all four kids. Danel worked hard to give her kids amazing experiences like picnicking at Moorehead Park, going to every parade, visiting the Kate Shelly Bridge, the Carousel in Story City, and the Clay County and Iowa State Fairs. 

As her kids grew, she had the time to work as a substitute and eventually full-time bus driver with the BCIG School District. She drove a daily bus route as well as the baseball and wrestling buses. She seemed to come home every day with a funny story of something one of her "Bus Kids" had said or done. Danel was active in the community as a first responder and fireman in Arthur. She enjoyed teaching dog obedience classes in the summer. Most recently Danel was learning the absolute joy of being a grandma to three very special tiny humans. Danel was known for her kind smile, quirky sayings, her seemingly endless ISU apparel, and her ability to tell a story. 

Left to remember Danel are her four children: Whitney (Tim) of Arthur, IA, Nick of Ida Grove, IA, Joel (Becca) of Ida Grove, IA and Kiley of Arthur, IA; three grandchildren: Arlette, Kealer, and Theo; her mother Donna Simonson of Odebolt, IA; siblings Diane Schroeder, Deb (Steve) Bengford, David (Pam) Simonson, Doyle (Marlene) Simonson, and Dayle (Derrick) Clausen; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews; extended family and friends. 

Danel was welcomed to heaven by her father Duane Simonson; brother-in-law Tom Schroeder; and niece Tara Schroeder.