Funeral Today for The Rev. Daniel Simundson, Former Luther Seminary Professor

Funeral services for the Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Simundson, religious author and former professor at Luther Seminary, are scheduled for 2 p.m. today (Monday) at the seminary, 1490 Fulham St., St. Paul.

Visitation will precede the service at 1 p.m. 

Simundson, 79, of Roseville, died on Jan. 28. He taught for 31 years at Luther Seminariy, gaining recognition for his work and teaching in Old Testament studies, according to his obituary.  

According to his obituary, Simundson was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, son to Kolbeinn and Groa (Thorsteinson) Simundsson.  He earned a B.A. degree in 1955 from Stanford University and a B.D. degree from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1959.

Ordained as a minister in 1959, Simundson was pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Mendon, Illinois, until 1961. Next, he became hospital chaplain at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis (1961–67).

This obituary notice from Mueller-Bies Funeral Home-Roseville about Simundson also reports:

"In 1971 Simundson received a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Dan became a member of the Luther Seminary faculty in St. Paul in 1972 and was named professor of  Old Testament in 1981.

Simundson taught for 31 years and during that time also held various deanships. In 2000 Dan was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Theology from the University of Iceland.

The author of more than six books on the Old Testament and its messages of faith in times of suffering, Dan was a beloved teacher who touched many lives.

In his retirement Dan continued to teach and preach, was active at his church, and was involved with the Golden K Kiwanis Club and the Icelandic American Association of Minnesota.

Kiwanis club member Ric Soderstrom noted on the club's web site, "It was with great sadness that Bill Flittie noted the passing of one of our long-standing members, Dan Simundson – he will be missed."   

Simundson was preceded in death by Sally (Mueller), his wife of 38 years; brothers Leonard and Jonas “K” Simundson and sisters Marjory Wesen and Dorothy Miller.

Dan is survived by his daughters, Susan Simundson and Ann-Marie Pucillo; sons-in-law Bruce Cryan and Fred Pucillo; grandchildren Daniel and Audrey Cryan and Joseph Pucillo; brother Luther Simundson (Jeanne), and dear friend Patricia Kane.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Simundson's memory may be made to either Luther Seminary, or Galilee Lutheran Church at 145 North McCarrons Blvd., Roseville, MN, 55113.  Arrangements are being handled by Mueller-Bies Funeral Home-Roseville