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Kenneth William “K.W.” Simons was born on this date in 1927,
the son of Kenneth Wetherill and Marie (Malloy) Simons. Born and raised
in Bismarck, Simons became a teacher and political activist.
His father was the editor of the Bismarck Tribune from 1930-1948 and,
while in high school, Simons worked at the Tribune.
After graduating from Bismarck High School in 1945, he enlisted in the
U.S. Navy and served during World War II. He returned home and attended
Bismarck Junior College and later the University of North Dakota.
He met his wife, Ferne Rohde, while teaching English and history in Pettibone.
They married on August 17, 1958, and had three daughters.
From Pettibone, Simons continued his teaching career in Zap and Erie.
He later began teaching in Bureau of Indian Affairs schools on several
reservations in North and South Dakota. During that time, Simons and his
wife took in several Indian children into their home.
After retiring from the BIA in Rolla, he taught in Esmond until the mid-1980s.
Simons taught high school for 30 years.
In the early 1950s, Simons served as editor of the NPL’s Leader newspaper.
He wrote a column in the Turtle Mountain News during his retirement, along
with letters and essays to many newspapers around the state.
Though Simons never ran for political office, he was very much a political
activist and an outspoken advocate for progressive causes. He was an avid
reader and quite knowledgeable about government and democracy. Simons
was known as a faithful writer of “letters to the editor” in
newspapers throughout North Dakota.
Simons was called a “good friend and a fighter for the Non-partisan
League.” He was considered a key figure in moving the League to the
Democratic Party in the 1950s.
He died March 16, 2007, in Grand Forks at age 79. Continuing to give generously
even after his death, Simons donated his body to the University of North
Dakota medical school.
Former Lt. Governor Lloyd Omdahl said of Simons after his death, “Simons
was one of the ground troops who worked tirelessly to recruit insurgent
members for the NPL and to sell stock in the Non-partisan Leader, both
efforts critical in the struggle to create a two-party system in North
Dakota.”
by Cathy A. Langemo, WritePlus Inc.
This text and audio may not be copied without securing
prior permission from North Dakota Public Radio.
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