Chester Lorenzo Simmonds - Obituary

Chester Simmonds “Chet”
Our dear father departed on earth’s last journey, our beautiful angel mother his escort, on December 8, 2007. His 92 years of life on the earth were exemplified by a steadfast commitment to God, his faith and family, a deep sense of personal responsibility and a genuine love and respect for honest hard work.
Chester Lorenzo Simmonds was born in Brigham City, Utah at the home of his grandmother on January 12, 1916. His parents, Warren C. Simmonds and Anna Helana Hansen Simmonds raised him with brother Art and sisters Eva and Alice on a small farm in Cornish, Utah. His entire young life was spent in his beloved Cache Valley. There, he attended school, entertained hundreds singing and playing at dances with his orchestra, learned and mastered several trades and began a career as a builder. As a young man in Cache Valley he met “the sweetest girl on earth”, Thelma Petersen. Chester won her heart and Thelma became his eternal sweetheart and wife in the Logan temple on May 5, 1937. He was never separated from her but for two brief periods: while he served in the Navy during WWII, and when she preceded him in death last winter.
The small town of Lewiston, Utah would become the home of the Simmonds family where Chet built a “dream home” for them. This remained home until a call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took him and his family to Salt Lake City where the final addition to the family was born. Chet built another beautiful home for the family on the avenues of Salt Lake. Constructed with love and inspiration, it was a magical place where friends and family loved to gather and create memories.
Once his work for the LDS church was complete, Chet resumed his contracting career. He participated in the construction of the original Salt Palace arena and convention center in Salt Lake. He remained there in management until he retired. Chet never quit working however. He always had a project or two or three.
Chet and Thelma moved to the family property in Bountiful, Utah after becoming empty nesters. With a home, shop and several acres, Chet continued to enjoy building things, gardening and driving his tractor. With his health declining after his sweet wife’s death however, the tractor fell silent.
Throughout his life, dad served diligently in bishoprics, stake high councils and many other church callings. His particularly loved home teaching.
Numerous barns, homes, churches and other buildings stand as a testament to Chet Simmonds’ ingenuity, strength and initiative. Numerous individuals were mentored and served by him. Numerous memories will live on as they are shared amongst his posterity.
Chet is survived by six children; Sid Simmonds (Connie), Bonnie Sue Simmonds (Hedy Pezeshki), Julie Anderson, Sally Cannon (David), Launi Schneberger (Ron), Jon Simmonds (Suzy), 31 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren with four more being prepared for their mortal existence with the love and help of our parents.
Funeral services will be held 11 am Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at the Bountiful 16th Ward Chapel, 720 E. 550 N. Friends may call Tuesday from 6-8 pm at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. and Wed. 9:45 – 10:45 am at the church prior to services. Interment Logan City Cemetery Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com