Pastor Daniel Simons
Daniel William Simons was born to William Clifford Simons and Delores Elaine Simons in Saginaw, Michigan. He was baptized in the name of the Triune God on November 7, 1954 at Christ Church, Brady Township, Michigan, and confirmed in the faith at Hope Ev. Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Michigan. Dan was raised on a working dairy farm of 120 acres.
His formal schooling was at St. Charles public schools (elementary), Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw (high school, 1972), Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin (college, 1976) and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Thiensville, Wisconsin (1980).
His formal schooling was at St. Charles public schools (elementary), Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw (high school, 1972), Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin (college, 1976) and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Thiensville, Wisconsin (1980).
He has served the following congregations:
In July of 1981 he began his involvement in Ex Corde, a contemporary Christian band composed of WELS* pastors and teachers, as drummer. Over the years they have played concerts from Los Angeles to Virginia and from Canada to Georgia, and released three cd’s. He also held the drum chair in the Worship Ensemble at Salem.
For four years Dan also filled the drum chair in country music bands fronted by long-time Milwaukee country musician Bruce Braidigan. In that capacity he was privileged to play with some of the best authentic country musicians in Milwaukee, even garnering a gig at one of Wisconsin’s premier country music festivals – Hodag in northern Wisconsin.
Dan has ridden motorcycles since the age of sixteen. His current ride is a 2004 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. He routinely uses his motorcycle as his main mode of transportation from May through October, whether making pastoral calls or just for fun.
- Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin as vicar during his third year at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
- St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church (exploratory/mission), Port Washington, Wisconsin from 1980-1990
- Salem Ev. Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 1990-July 31, 2013
In July of 1981 he began his involvement in Ex Corde, a contemporary Christian band composed of WELS* pastors and teachers, as drummer. Over the years they have played concerts from Los Angeles to Virginia and from Canada to Georgia, and released three cd’s. He also held the drum chair in the Worship Ensemble at Salem.
For four years Dan also filled the drum chair in country music bands fronted by long-time Milwaukee country musician Bruce Braidigan. In that capacity he was privileged to play with some of the best authentic country musicians in Milwaukee, even garnering a gig at one of Wisconsin’s premier country music festivals – Hodag in northern Wisconsin.
Dan has ridden motorcycles since the age of sixteen. His current ride is a 2004 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. He routinely uses his motorcycle as his main mode of transportation from May through October, whether making pastoral calls or just for fun.
Dan met his wife, Maria, while he was a student at Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Richwood Wisconsin area residents Modesto and Maria Alba. They were married at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Watertown on June 4, 1977. They have been blessed with three daughters: Salina Maria (1978) and twins Allison Myra and Rachel Lynn (1980). They have further been blessed with a wonderful son-in-law, Andrew who is married to Salina (a nurse at Children’s Hospital, Milwaukee). Dan and Maria have three grandsons, Henry, son of daughter Rachel, and Lucas and Leon, sons of Salina and Andy. Daughters Allison and Rachel and grandson Henry have relocated with Dan and Maria to Clinton Township. Holding an IT degree and considering how to further her education in that field, Rachel has already volunteered to assist Ascension in advancing our online presence. Dan and Maria have had great adventures, traveling together and working together at raising their family and serving the Lord of life. They are excited to begin a new adventure with the members of Ascension! Ascension is a mission congregation affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The WELS is heavily involved in mission work, both in the United States, and around the world. That long-standing commitment to reaching out with the Word is alive and well at Ascension!
*WELS stands for Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
*WELS stands for Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.