Milton Simon, age 80, of Veseli, died Monday, July 6, 2015, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Milton was born on July 20, 1934 in Wheatland Township, Rice County, MN to Bohumil and Ludmilla (Kalina) Simon.  He was a lifelong resident of the Veseli/New Prague area, graduating from New Prague High School before entering the US Navy.  On May 25, 1957, he married Janet M. Turek in Harvey, North Dakota and the couple made their home in Veseli, where they raised their family and Milt worked as an operating engineer for Local 49 as a heavy equipment operator doing road and site construction.  Milton was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, and both the Lonsdale and New Prague VFW.  In his high school years, Milt was a starting player on the New Prague football team and continued his love of sports into adulthood as an avid baseball fan and coach for the Veseli Town and Country Baseball Team.  He was also an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapping.  Gardening also kept him outdoors and allowed him the enjoyment of canning and cooking the fruits of his labors in the garden.  He was a man of strong faith and a devout Catholic.  He loved playing euchre with his family and friends. His greatest enjoyment came from time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; he adored them and served as a teacher and role-model for them.

Milton is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janet, of Veseli; children, Dan Simon of Veseli, Karen (& Randy) Indgjer of Maryland, Diane (& Randy) Pexa of New Prague, Doris (& Jon) Gillen of New Prague, Doug Simon of Minneapolis; brothers, Bob Simon of New Prague, Gene (& Ceil) Simon of New Prague; sisters, Laura Jirik of Lonsdale, Irene Scheffler of Benson, MN, Sally Rezac of Owatonna; sisters-in-law, Florence Simon of New Prague, Ann Simon of Lonsdale; 14 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Kevin James Simon in 1978; daughter-in-law, Nancy Simon; grandchild, Candace Simon; great-grandchild, Jase Simon; brothers, Albert and Ray Simon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, July 10, 2015, at 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Veseli, with Father John Lapensky officiating.  Visitation will occur on Thursday from 4 – 8 PM at Bruzek Funeral Home and on Friday morning from 8 – 10 AM at church.  Military honors will be conducted after Mass at church and lunch will follow at the Lonsdale Legion Club.  Private family burial will occur on Saturday morning in Veseli.  In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Holy Cross Catholic School.