This Father’s Day will be extra special for one local resident. Kevin Simonson is battling advanced heart failure. He recently celebrated his 60th birthday party in Palmer. He was surrounded by a sea of red (signifying his battle with heart failure). Many of Kevin’s family and friends attended the party and the room was full of laughter. The celebration was not just a milestone; but a miracle.

A short time ago, reaching his 60th birthday didn’t seem guaranteed for Kevin, as he was diagnosed with Advanced Congestive Heart Failure. He has faced a long and uncertain road. There have been hospital stays, hard conversations and days when his future felt dark. Through it all, a few things remained constant for Kevin and his family. Those things were faith in God, family and an unbreakable spirit. 

This celebration was a testament to resilience. Banners and decorations marked the years; but it was the stories shared that marked the journey. Despite many struggles, there have been many answered prayers in quiet hospital rooms, and unwavering support from family and friends. 

“We have seen how close we were to losing Kevin,” said Kevin’s wife Pamela. “His life is a true gift never to be taken for granted.”

The family re-located from Rogers, to the Clear Lake area in 2019. In August of 2020, after a fun day of boating and jet skiing, Kevin suffered two major heart attacks. 

Because Kevin (age 55 at the time) had no family history of heart issues and led a healthy lifestyle, Kevin and his wife Pamela thought it was just shoulder pain (due to his previous shoulder surgeries for rotator cuff repair). The pain quickly went from shoulder and arm, to jaw pain, Pamela drove them to Monticello Hospital emergency room department again thinking it was just shoulder pain. Kevin was very critical.

The front of Kevin’s heart received three stents. The doctors needed to wait 24 hours for his heart to get stronger and for Kevin to regain strength. In less than 12 hours, Kevin had another attack. His doctor told him he was very fortunate to be alive. The two heart attacks did permanent damage to his heart. After three months of cardiac rehab, Kevin was able to return to work and continue an active lifestyle.  

A few years later, something felt off. Kevin was extremely fatigued, experienced shortness of breath and was sleeping a lot.  After a visit to his cardiologist, he headed back to The St. Cloud Heart Center for more testing, and a fifth stent was placed.  Sadly, it was determined he was now in active advanced heart failure. The damage to his heart was non-reversible. 

Kevin worked hard to recover and strengthen his heart, a second round of cardiac rehab followed. No longer able to work, Kevin was forced into early retirement May of 2024 and shortly after was approved for permanent medical disability. 

Kevin continues to be monitored by both his local heart team at St Cloud Hospital, and Abbott Heart Institute. The family also visited The Mayo Clinic  for a third opinion.  

“I am in awe of Kevin – my heart hero,” said Pamel. “His positive attitude and the way he approaches his disease is inspiring. Family and friends get our family through each day.”  

Pamela and Kevin want to thank their neighbors, who are always checking in on them, offering help, visiting, and reminding them that even in the darkest moments, they are not alone.

Kevin has an emotional support dog named Waverly, who rarely leaves his side and follows Kevin everywhere.

“Living with a serious illness changes everything,” said Pamela. “It has changed our routines, our plans, and how we see each day. But the ones thing that hasn’t changed is our faith!”

The Simonson’s faith in God helps them face each day with courage. They consider each breath a gift and celebrate that gift of Kevin every day.

Their daughter Madison and son-in-law Eddie  live close and have been a constant support system. Visiting often. Pamela says they are a “constant in this every changing world”

Recent appointments have showed Kevin as “stable. 

Their motto is Simo Strong; Heart Strong and they wear red bracelets as a reminder of Kevin’s strength. They consider him their heart hero. The Simonson family has gratitude for the good days and grace of the hard ones. Pamela says she considers herself blessed to be married close to 30 years and serve as Kevin’s caregiver.

“Faith doesn’t always change a situation but it changes us in the middle of it,” said Pamela. “We wake up every day caring the weight of heart failure, our faith is more than a belief. Its our steady companion – walking beside us, whispering ‘we are not alone’”. 

To follow Kevin’s Heart Hero journey, vist his Caring Bridge at: www.caringbridge.org/site/f6878de3-3f00-11ef-87ed-39b50b8610cd.