Celebrating the Life of Donald L. Sime - April 24, 1936 to June 12, 2016

After several years of declining health, Don died of a heart attack on June 12, 2016.

Don was born April 24, 1936, to John and Madge Sime. He grew up on a farm with his three siblings (Dorothy, Janiece, Dale) in Northwood, Iowa, in a Norwegian community. His education was in a one-room schoolhouse starting first grade. He graduated from Northwood High School in 1953 and Iowa State College in 1959 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine.

Growing up on a farm, he learned many practical skills that he used throughout his life. He was a curious and adventurous child and experienced “toys” and activities that are not generally available to children today. He loved horses and roller skating and tools. In college he learned to swim and thereafter enjoyed boating and water skiing. At age 50 he took downhill ski lesions in Sun Valley, Idaho! Don loved deer hunting, snowmobiling, tractor auctions and collecting “old things.” He kept in touch with his farm roots by buying farm land and he loved managing the sale of his corn and beans.

After receiving his DVM degree he moved to the BIG City of St. Paul to work for the U of M College of Veterinary Medicine as its first intern at the teaching hospital. After a year he worked in various small animal clinics in the Twin Cities until he bought two clinics in the Twin Cities from Dr. Thomas Willmus in 1967: Suburban Animal Hospital in Roseville and Highland Animal Hospital in St. Paul. From Dr. Willmus he learned many business skills. Both practices expanded and grew. He built two free-standing state-of-the-art clinic buildings from which he provided skilled care to small animals for 43 plus years until his son Michael joined him to carry on the tradition.

In 1965 he met his future wife, Elaine van Leeuwen. They were married July 15, 1967. For 49 years they were a team in building a business and raising a family. He had three wonderful children - Sarah(who died in infancy), Kara, and Michael, and raised many, many, many dogs. We enjoyed our lake home “up north” and did a lot of entertaining. Here he had room to build and build and build. He has 3 garages and a large pole barn for a plethora of storage - filled with old tractors, antique trailers, machines and, of course, a small amount of room for the boats.

Throughout the years we were blessed with wonderful extended family, neighbors and friends, church and school activities.

Don was active in professional organizations throughout his career. He was an activist on behalf of veterinarians, lobbying for fair state laws related to practice regulations and workers’ compensation reform. He was a founding member of the first emergency clinic/hospital for small animals in St. Paul and a founding member of a drug buying group and cremation service for use by veterinary clinics. In retirement he has kept busy with fund raising and philanthropy for the University of Minnesota Veterinary Museum, and student scholarships.
We will remember Don for his strong love of his family and friends, his common sense, his commitment to fairness for employees and his “Jack of all trades” skills, his mentoring of many, and his quirky and imaginative thinking. Anyone who knew him has “Don stories” to tell.

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