DERK ALLAN SIMON

Derk Allan Simon

April 8, 1956-September 5, 2021

Derk Allan Simon, age 65, of Sleepy Eye, MN passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

A funeral service was held on Sunday, September 12, at Sleepy Eye Event Center, in Sleepy Eye, MN with burial at Fort Ridgely Cemetery.

Derk Allan Simon was born April 8, 1956, in Sleepy Eye to William and Marjorie (Davis) Simon. He graduated from Sleepy Eye Public High School and went on to attend Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

On December 27, 1980, Derk was united in marriage to Ginifer Dahmes in Redwood Falls, MN. This union blessed the couple with four sons and one daughter, whom together they raised on their farm in rural Sleepy Eye. It was clear to all that Derk was a faithful man, loving husband to his wife Ginifer, wonderful father to five, and was always ready to help anyone in need.

Throughout his life he opened his home, gave away valuables, and was always ready and willing to offer a helping hand. He faithfully was involved in a Jail ministry over many years which affected countless lives. Derk and Ginifer started Barn Yard Ministries together, and opened their property as a place for anyone in the community to gather, encourage each other, enjoy food and fellowship, and celebrate the goodness of Jesus.

Derk loved socializing and meeting new people. He described himself as a man that could have a conversation with anyone he ever met. His ability to talk and connect with people naturally flowed over to establishing and expanding his window washing business all over southern Minnesota. He never took a sales or marketing course, he just loved people, and in doing so the business grew to serve numerous clients in many different cities due to his genuine ability to connect. His love for his wife and family and the people around him all stemmed from his love for Christ Jesus. He truly leaves us with a legacy of learning to love.

He enjoyed snorkeling in the lake, cooking, time in nature, especially loving Oak trees. He was always reading and learning new things. Derk was a man of many wonderful qualities and will be missed by all who knew him. Blessed be his memory.

Derk is survived by his wife, Ginifer Simon; sons, Clayton (Julie) Simon, Bryce (Christie Ann) Simon, Caleb Simon, and Jacan Simon; daughter, Meisha (Keeran) Nicholls; eight grandchildren, Aurora, Linnea, Emma, Jonas, Silas, Hadessah, Ava, and Judah; mother, Marjorie Simon; brothers, Scott (Myra) Simon, Mitch (Betty) Simon, and Martin (Hoo Soon) Simon; sisters, Genie Simon, Tami (Peter) Watson, Keiron Simon, Kallan (Mark) Anderson, and Kylie (Chad) Carlson; brothers-in-law, Kenn (Lorie) Dahmes and Steve (Geri) Dahmes; sisters-in-law, Sue Heffernan and Sandi Hardaway; many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, William Simon.

Arrangements by Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, New Ulm, MN. To leave an online condolence for his family or to sign the online guestbook, go to: mvfh.org