Douglas R Simkins was born October 25, 1952 to Ervin “Hun” Eli Simkins and Arvis Echo Nyberg Simkins. The family lived near Mission in Doug’s early years. He was baptized in the Mission Lutheran Church.
Doug enjoyed observing and learning new things. He always loved nature and felt most at home in the country.
Doug was voted class president his junior year of high school in Witten, SD. He had hoped to graduate from Witten but the high school closed in the spring of 1969. Doug graduated from Winner High School in 1970.
His two best friends were Scott Bridgman and Duane Adel. He spent a lot of time at the home of Harold and Margaret Bridgman.
Doug attended Mitchell Vo Tech, then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. One of his ocean deployments was Display Determination. Among others, he was on the ship U.S. Inchon. Doug was a head cook who organized many cooks under him.
When he spoke of his travels, he told of the beautiful colored water off the Island of Cyprus, and of visiting Valencia, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain.
He attained the rank of sgt. E-5. He was awarded several medals: National Defense Service Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, and Letter of Appreciation.
Doug married Cheryl Ulmer. He adopted her son Brent, and they had two more children, Barry and Billy Jo. He loved being a dad, and enjoyed taking his sons hunting. During this time, Doug built and designed his barn and built the home, all while working full time. In the mid 1980’s Doug and Cheryl divorced.
Doug was always a hard worker. He worked as a mechanic and welder on large farm equipment. Those who knew Doug well, knew how responsible, intelligent, organized and capable Doug was. He designed and built many trailers, fixed up antique tractors and was well known for his ability to fix up the old square-bale balers.
He was an avid reader, and especially enjoyed learning about the Civil War and WWII.
In 1995, Doug married Lynne Lenker Hallberg. They were married in Roger and Dawn Bridgman’s back yard in Utah. Doug chose for their special song, “Keeper of the Stars.” He believed, as the lyrics say, that it was no accident they found each other.
Doug celebrated sixteen years of sobriety on November 25, 2016.
Doug was a member of the Witten Baptist Church and was on the deacon board. The last year and a half he hardly missed a church service or Bible study. Doug was a lifetime member of the Winner American Legion.
When COPD became a part of his life, it complicated things, but Doug paced himself. Even tethered to an oxygen bottle, he resided the south side of the barn this summer and replaced the barn windows.
Doug passed away peacefully with family present on the evening of December 27, 2016 at the Avera McKennan ICU in Sioux Falls, SD.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and infant brother, Alfred.
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