Donald "Chewy" Simeniuk

Donald Harold George Simeniuk (“Chewy”) passed away December 26, 2024; he had been suffering from interstitial lung disease. 

Don was born December 8, 1961, in Rockglen, Saskatchewan, Canada, to William Simeniuk and Georgette Desfossez Simeniuk, a World War II bride from Belgium. He grew up on the family farm near Killdeer, Saskatchewan. 

Don attended Rockglen Schools with his lifelong friend Shawn Mulvena, graduating high school in 1980. He then received a certificate from Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon in machining and welding before returning to the family farm where he helped his father and worked for neighbors. He spent quite a bit of his twenties in Opheim where he met some of his favorite people and made many friends, in particular partner-in-crime Buster Stuber. 

In 1990, Don married Beth Ann Nyquist of Glasgow, Montana. They lived together on the Killdeer farm and raised two daughters, Ryder and Gwynn, and many black cows. The girls both went to high school in Opheim, so Don enjoyed attending events with other Opheim Vikings, Glasgow Scotties, and Scobey Spartans supporters. You could count on meeting up with Chewy for a post-game celebration beverage at the Bar 80, owned by his sister-in-law Sue Nyquist. 

He was actively involved in the community as President of the Killdeer Weigh Scale Club, Counselor for Rural Municipality (RM) 43, member of the Killdeer Hall Board and Wood Mountain Park Board during its centennial celebration, and most notably was the Mulvena Mechanic. He helped upgrade the local weigh scale to commercial size, providing added utility for local farmers. As RM counselor, he did many things locally, but the foremost initiative was the Simeniuk Super Highway. 

Through the years, Don always found projects that needed fixing from tuning up farm equipment at home to making little upgrades to the cabin at Fort Peck. Don’s favorite place to be was Table Butte on the Killdeer farm, but his second favorite place was at the lake where the most cherished memories were made on the waters of the Mighty Missouri. If he wasn’t waterskiing behind a boat or dumping his girls off the tube, he and fellow gear head, Bob Potter, found any excuse they could to tinker on the old homestead-shack-turned-cabin. 

After Gwynn graduated from Opheim high school in 2012, Don and Beth decided to make their time spent in the states more permanent. They sold the farm and moved down near Glasgow where he opened a welding and fabricating shop. He relished in fixing any farmers’ broken machinery and solving their fabrication puzzles. Don’s hefty reinforcing beads made his welding reputation in northeast Montana second-to-none. The numerous portable windbreaks scattered in pastures throughout this region are a testament to his craftsmanship. He also liked meeting local business people and a variety of tourists and fishermen while fixing boat and camper hitches, fryer baskets, hangar doors, and any problem presented to him. 

Don sought to travel every back road in eastern Montana and some in North Dakota and Wyoming. When the hot summer days came, he and Beth would go to Fort Peck on Roper’s ‘Toon, and if clients tried to reach him, he’d tell them he was “on a job, and I’ll call ya tomorrow.” He also floated the Missouri River from either Fort Benton or Coal Banks Landing to Robinson bridge eight times on the Mystic Missouri vessel. The last four times he traveled with brother-in-law Mat Nyquist and Mat’s brother-in-law Mark Halvorson, and they invited wives Beth, Karen, and Cindy to join on those last three trips. Don loved being the Captain and only gave up the river cruises when he could no longer physically manage them. 

Don was extremely proud of his daughters and the paths they chose in life. He recognized that they had the strength and character to make their own way while still being a part of a nurturing family and community. He was also very thankful for the companionship and helping hand that nephew Jeff provided. 

In his last year when he was less mobile, Don was pleased to visit with friends from Montana and Saskatchewan. He truly appreciated it when they reached out to him to give him updates and to reminisce with him. 

Don is survived by his wife Beth and daughters Ryder (Drew) Lombard, Gwynn Simeniuk (Mike McDermott), nephew Jeff Nyquist, nephew Jason Nyquist, niece Mary Nyquist, sister Claudette Schnell, and brother Willie Simeniuk; and various nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father William, his mother Georgette, and stepfather Laddie Hamilton. 

He wished to be cremated and have his ashes spread in a private gathering. If anyone should wish to remember him, Don’s family asks that you direct memorial donations to the Valley County Food Bank in lieu of flowers: 

Valley County Food Bank  P.O. Box 63  Glasgow, MT 59230 

 Any memories you’d like to share, please email to donsimeniukmemories@gmail.com 

Don's family is hosting a Celebration of Life for friends on Friday, January 3 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Glasgow Elks Lodge. We'd love for you to join us and share your favorite Chewy memories.