Marion Lee Simon, 89, Newell, died Friday, December 21, 2007 at his home near Newell.

Marion Lee Simon was born at home Aug. 25, 1918, to Arthur J. (A.J.) Simon and Martha (Sampson) Simon. Lee grew up on a homesteaded farm with his parents, three brothers and one sister, (Reed, Dale, Glen, and Joy). He attended rural school nearby and the two years of high school as offered locally.

On November 2, 1940, Lee married Lillian Kolb of Date, SD. He enjoyed years of playing cards, dancing, traveling, reading, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and the coffee pot was always on for his friends and neighbors. Lee also served as a founding member to the Moreau River Community Hall. In his younger days, Lee worked out for many people, mostly herding sheep and cattle and being a general farm/ranch-hand. He farmed his parent's old home place and did carpentry work for many folks around the country.

In November, 1950, Lee and his wife purchased the Zeona Store and Post Office. Lee continued to do carpentry work and also helped his wife, Lillian, with the store business. They lived at Zeona for 45 years and enjoyed their many friends and neighbors during this period. In the fall of 1995, Lee and Lillian moved to their retirement home located on their son and daughter-in-law's ranch 3 miles southwest of Newell.

Lee is survived by his wife Lillian of 67 years, one daughter Beverly (Duane) Finger of Livermore, CO, and two sons - Kurt (Judy) of Newell and Lynn (Arleyn) of Tempe, AZ; sister Joy (Don) Walter of Groton, SD; three Grandchildren - Darren (Carol) Finger of Livermore, CO, Janet (Boyd) Eisenbraun of Albert Lea, MN, and Rena (Matt) Stautberg of Portland, OR. Survivors also include two Great Grandchildren, Joel and Josh Eisenbraun of Albert Lea, MN; two sisters-in-law, Jean Simon (Sturgis) and Elaine Simon (Portland, OR) and many nieces and nephews.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Glen of Timberlake, Reed of Spearfish and Dale of Sturgis; a sister Veryl Simon (Hellwig) of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and a granddaughter, Sandy Finger, of Parker, CO.

Memorial services will be Friday, December 28, 2007 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating.