David Samuelsen

David Ray Samuelsen was born in Hettinger, North Dakota, the fifth of nine children of David A. and Clarinda Ohs Samuelsen on September 6th, 1932. He died December 9th, 2010, in Boise, Idaho. In 1944, his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where David discovered his lifelong passion for Golf. Playing on the East High School golf team enabled him to go to the Junior National Championship in Washington, D.C. He turned professional at the ripe old age of sixteen and became the assistant golf pro under Ernie Snyder at the Ogden Country Club. David served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Panama. David discovered Idaho and during his studies at Boise Junior College he was the assistant golf pro under Hank Haneke at Hillcrest Country Club. He continued on at the University of Idaho Law School and spent his summers as the first ever golf pro at the McCall Golf Course. Throughout his life, David developed many great golf buddies and a true respect of the game in which the "verbal abuse rule" was always in effect. With a law career spanning 47 years, David began in 1963 by representing the Idaho Department of Transportation. He then moved to private practice with Clemmons, Skiles and Green which evolved in to Clemmons, Cosho, Humprey and Samuelsen. Later David practiced law with Bert Poole and then with T.J. Jones at Jones, Jones and Samuelsen. He was a member of the Idaho State Bar Association, the American Bar Association and a charter member of the Lawyer Assistance Program. Most importantly, David married the love of his life, Ann Irvin, in 1961. This amazing bond would bring the milestone of their 50th wedding anniversary this summer on June 16th. They were blessed with three beautiful daughters Lynn (Danton) Killian, Lisa Weigle and Laurie (Don Blackstone)Samuelsen, who never drove them nuts. With love and devotion they guided the children on the their path to successful careers and relationships. To wonderful grandchildren Alisha (David) Seastone, David (Franceine) Ihm, Alicia Killian and Brandy Wood, he was known as the "OD", the Original Dave and they shared much laughter. The great grandchildren include Jack, Aydan and Leigha Seastone. David generously devoted his time to assist others in need. He was a true people person with a caring spirit and beautiful mind. If you were to ask others their opinion of David, the first thing to come to mind would be his amazing sense of humor and lightning wit. He will be missed at the Gin and Bridge tables where he wowed his opponents with intellectual skill and continuous comments. David and Ann shared a talent for building bridges to deep friendships that have and will mean the world to them throughout the years. David was preceded in death by his parents David A. and Clarinda Ohs Samuelsen, his oldest brother Roger, his brother and sister in law James and Shirley Samuelsen, his brothers in law Van Smith and John Summers and his in laws William and Jessie Lois Irvin. He is survived by his brother Jerry (Renee) Samuelsen , sisters, Ann Smith, Jane (Harold) Johnson, Virginia (Dennis) Pearce, Barbara Peterson, Sandra Summers, brother in law John (Terri) Irvin and numerous nieces and nephew. A very special thanks to St. Luke's and their staff for David's loving care. "Live well, Love Much and Laugh Often". We will miss you dearly. A memorial mass will be held on Friday, December 17,2010 at 11am at St. Mary's Church, 2612 State St. Boise. To share memories with the family please visit David's memorial webpage at www.CloverdaleFuneralHome.com