Robert “Bob” Simonson

Robert "Bob" Simonson, 80, of Bowman, ND, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Bowman, ND on May 2, 2023.
Funeral Services for Bob were held Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the W.E. Solberg Gymnasium in Bowman. Pastor Renee and Pastor Charles Johnson officiated with burial following at the Bowman Cemetery. Visitation was held Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 12-9 at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel in Bowman.
Robert 'Bob' Duane Simonson was the son of Ralph and Ella Simonson. He was raised in southwest Minnesota in a town called Lanesboro. After graduating from high school, he started working at IBM in Rochester, MN where he met his good friend Paul Durhman and soon was introduced to his sister, Mary Sue Durhman. He quickly was smitten with Mary; and they eloped January 6, 1968.
They made their home in Grand Meadow, MN and started their family. In the late 70s, Bob and Mary visited cousins in southwest North Dakota. They fell in love with the area and subsequently found employment while setting roots. Opportunity fell upon them when they found and acquired their first herd of beautiful Black Angus cattle.
They expanded their herd after they found additional land south of Rhame, where Bob fulfilled his ultimate goal to build a very successful cattle ranch. During this same time, Bowman High School approached Bob to serve as a part-time activities' bus driver.
In 2008, Bob retired and sold the herd. Bob and Mary moved outside of Bowman where they currently reside. The move allowed a transition from part-time bus driver to full-time driver very quickly -- ask Mary!  
While Bob was always very busy driving the bus, he always found time to travel and visit friends and family. Some of the trips include Norway, New Zealand, Australia, Costa Rico, Panama, Mexico, and all 50 states. One of the more memorable trips was a 7,000-mile camping trip to Alaska. 
Bob had many pursuits in life. He was a rancher, with dedication and devotion to his cattle. He was mountain man, dedicated to taking people into the backcountry mountains of Yellowstone National Park. He impacted so many lives as a bus driver for the various sports and extracurricular teams of Bowman County School hauling kids to towns throughout North Dakota and the nation. Community was important and he was known throughout the area and had touched so many lives. He was a father, devoted to his children. He was a husband, devoted to his wife Mary. Family was always a priority and source of pride and joy for Bob.
Bob was always willing to lend a hand to neighbors, offer a smile, and a sense of humor. He was always good for a laugh and a game of cards. He died doing what he loved, working by the horse barn.
Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Simonson. Four children: Patricia ‘Patty’ (Lloyd) Gilbert, Roxanne Simonson (Anthony Starkey), Brian Simonson, and Jean Simonson-Wise. Bob has two grandchildren: Sawyer Gilbert and Grey Gilbert. He had one sister, Elaine Simonson who has three children: Jason (Becky) Aeshliman, Shannon Aeshliman, and Aaron (Melissa) Aeshliman; and one brother-in-law, Neil Durhman. Bob had multiple cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and extended family including so many dear friends near and far.
Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel in Bowman is in charge of arrangements.