Donald Francis Simons, 89 of Spearfish, SD passed away on October 24, 2026.

Donald Francis Simons was born on April 4, 1937 in Sauk Centre, MN to John H. Simons and Della D. (Balvin) Simons. He grew up around Huron and Wolsey, SD attending St. Theresa Catholic School and Wolsey Public School, loosing 1 year due to having polio, St. Theresa Junior High and Faulkton High School excelling in basketball, football and track, both in Jr. High and High School and graduated in 1956. He attended SDSM&T in 1956 and 1958 majoring in mining engineering. He worked for various uranium companies in Edgemont, SD, Grants, NM, Globe, AZ and Austin, NV. He attained his pilot license in 1961. Donald moved to Southern California in 1963 to continue his education while working for various engineering companies/ H married Margaret Joann (Waggoner) Bynum in 1965 while working for Inglewood, CA and continuing school. They moved to Westminster, CA in 1967 and worked for various engineering companies attaining his California Professional Land Surveying License in 1972. Donald was appointed US Mineral Surveyor by the BLM in 1981. While in California, he was active in St. Barbara Catholic Church on the parish council and the Knights of Columbus being the Grand Knight for 2 terms. Also active in ACSM in Southern California as an officer for many years. He went into his own surveying business in 1973, retiring in 1993 to move to Spearfish, SD to enjoy a slower lifestyle. He attained his SD PLS license in 1994. He was asked to head up the survey supervisor position for a Rapid City firm in 1997 and again retired in 2002. He continued to mentor many your surveyors throughout his life.

In Spearfish he enjoyed his many hobbies, hunting, camping, traveling, genealogy, ATVing and canoeing. He continued his work with the K of C both in the 3rd and 4th degrees being Faithful Navigator for three years. He joined the South Dakota Society of Professional Surveyors in 1994 being the education chairman for many years establishing the education scholarship fund and being society president in 1999, then continuing on the education committee throughout his life. He was also active in the Spearfish Historical Society.

Donald leaves behind his loving wife, Joann; daughters, Janette Dawn Simons Marco, Riverside, CA and Julie Ann (Simons) Blazek, Gillette, WY; step-daughter, Susan Ellen (Bynum) Martin, Colorado, Springs, CO; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert and Lowell Simons and step-son Darrell Bynum.

He would like to be remembered for his love of his Catholic faith, love for his wife of more than 61 years, pride in his many vehicles (25 cars, 7 pick-ups, 5 tractors and 2 ATVs) and being a good neighbor.

Services are pending.

A memorial has been established to the Newman Center at Black Hills State University.