Obituary of Chester R. Simonsen

Chester R. ''Chet'' Simonsen Penn Yan: Chester R. ''Chet'' Simonsen, age 89, of Penn Yan, N.Y. formerly of Rushville, died Friday October 27, 2017 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, in Penn Yan, NY. Calling hours will be from 4:00 -5:00 pm Wednesday (Nov. 1) at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee; where his funeral service will be held at 5:00 pm with Rev. John Busch, and Lay Pastor Craig Wetherby officiating. The family will continue to greet friends at a reception following. Inurnment will be in City Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Penn Yan Chapter of Future Farmers of America , 305 Court St., Penn Yan, NY 14527 or the American Heart Assoc. Finger Lakes Chapter, 2113 Chili Ave., Rochester, NY 14624. Chester was born April 12,1928 in Geneva, NY, a son of the late Regnar and Nellie {Rice} Simonsen. On March 7, 1948 in Wayne, NY he married the former Mary Ellen Harrison, who passed away on July 21, 2015. In his younger years he drove truck for Frank Menter, hauling salt & fertilizer. Chet's true passion was farming, owning his own agricultural and dairy farm in Rushville for many years. After the farm sold, he went to work for Birkett Mills, spraying, spreading and mixing chemicals and fertilizers for 30 years, retiring in 1990. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening, fishing, and collecting antique clocks. He is survived by 2 sons Richard R. (Dorothy) Simonsen of Campbell, NY, Thomas E. (Diane) Simonsen of Dundee; 2 daughters Charlene M. (Jay) Cook of Denver, CO, Lisa A. (Bruce) Henderson of Penn Yan; 14 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; a sister Margaret Gage of Canandaigua; a brother in law Ron Harrison of Penn Yan; and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by a grandson Dana Simonsen in 1994; a brother Earl Simonsen; and 3 sisters Gertrude Gage, Anna Wetherby, and Irene Babcock. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.