Simon Edward Mears was born November 1, 1946 in Rugby, North Dakota. He was the son of Thomas and Marion (Wolf) Mears. Raised by his Uncle Johnnie, he graduated from Rugby High School. After moving to Grafton, he first experienced fatherhood with the birth of his daughter, Kandis. He later met and married Pauline Jorgenson Miller and they enjoyed forty-five joyful years together.
Simon worked for Grafton Electric prior to purchasing with his brother, Vic, in 1975. After selling to Vic, the family moved to Denver, Colorado in 1983 where Simon worked for Riviera Electric. He traveled to Texas to manage work and eventually moved to California. Later, Pauline and Simon moved back to North Dakota to be near family where he worked for Border States Electric. After the blizzard of 1996, Simon and Pauline relocated to Arizona. Simon retired from Border States in 2008. Not ready to completely retire, he worked part-time for SEC Electric through 2019.
Simon enjoyed golfing and woodworking along with traveling the country with Pauline in their motorhome. They met a goal of visiting 13 presidential libraries, enjoyed a 50-day tour of Alaska while making many new friends and built many long-lasting memories.
Diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, Simon was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. After battling his depleting oxygen level, he made a choice for ‘comfort care’. The family had the opportunity to hug, cry, laugh, and share wonderful memories as Simon prepared for heaven knowing ‘not my will but Thine be done.’ Support was removed, and he passed peacefully on March 8, 2020 surrounded by his loving family.
Surviving family includes his loving wife, Pauline, and three adoring daughters – Nanci (Wayne) Dauwen, Kandis (Adam) Gries and Connie (Glen) Altringer. Affectionately known as ‘Papa’, Simon was so proud of his six grandchildren – Katie (Jake) Eissinger and Amanda Dauwen, Harrison and Tatum Gries, and Hannah and Brayden Altringer. He is also survived by one brother – Emery (Annette) Mears. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers – Leonard and Vic Mears, four sisters – Julianne Draper, Joyce Hunt, Jane Braaten, and Leatha Merley, his dear Uncle Johnnie and other beloved family and friends.
The family wishes to thank you for your prayers and support. We have all learned a valuable lesson – do not put off to tomorrow what should be done or said today. We look to wipe away the tears and see beyond death to the eternal life assured by the glorious victory of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Love and prayers to you all ❤️