Susan Simonson

Susan Bassett Simonson, 83, of Fargo, ND, died peacefully in her sleep at Rochester Methodist Hospital, Rochester, MN, on September 1, 2008, following a courageous battle with adrenal cortical cancer. Susan Bassett was born August 21, 1925, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Clark D. and Marjorie (Milligan) Bassett. She grew up in Aberdeen, SD, Bozeman, MT and Fargo, ND. She graduated from St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minnesota. She then attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, graduating with a degree in Spanish. She was a proud sister in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Susan married Edward A. Simonson December 29, 1949, at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Fargo, ND. Together they had a daughter, Marjorie; and three sons, Jared, James and John. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. She particularly relished her role as grandmother and great-grandmother. She adored each child. In return, she was adored. She will be deeply missed. Susan was a renaissance woman. She studied genealogy, cooking, history, nature and art. She loved to learn, especially through exploration. She traveled the world and made her life an adventure. She maintained meaningful collections and complete archives. A true Scot, she loved golf. She played throughout the United States and at St. Andrew’s in Scotland. She hit three holes-in-one in her career, including one just days before her 81st birthday in a tournament at Edgewood Golf Course in Fargo. She was devoted to her church and her faith. She was a fixture at the 11 a.m. Sunday service. She attended meetings and study groups, ministered to the sick and less fortunate, and served on the Altar Guild. She was active in the community. She supported many organizations including the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, Junior League, P.E.O. and Gethsemane Cathedral. Susan is survived by her children: Marjorie (Arthur) Young, Terre Haute, IN; Jared (Carrie); James (Darcy); John (Kelley), all of Fargo, ND; 11 grandchildren: Jennifer Young (Chris) Walker, Meg Young (Jerome) Scheidler, Elisabeth and W. Pace Young; Elias and Thomas Simonson; Benjamin, E. Hunter and Cole Simonson; Abbey and Lindsey Simonson; and two great-grandchildren, Cy and Quinn Walker. She is also survived by a loving extended family and many dear friends. Susan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward; her brother, James Clarke Bassett; and her sister, Harriet (Bassett) Price. Memorials are preferred to Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral and the FM Symphony Orchestra. Memorial Service: Saturday, September 6, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Fargo, ND. Inurnment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.