Ruth M. Samson

Ruth M. Samson Marshall Ruth M. Samson, age 86, died Friday evening, January 8, 2010 at Oaklawn Hospital. Ruth was born September 1, 1923 in Yonkers, New York to William J. and Mary (Katula) Pearce. She grew up there attending St. Mary High School and Sacred Heart High School from where she graduated in 1941. After graduation she worked at Penn Mutual Insurance and then General Motors in Tarrytown, NY until enlisting in the Women's Army Corps in 1944. She served overseas and while there met Russell G. "Abe" Samson. The couple fell in love and after a whirlwind courtship of several months they were married on January 5, 1946 in Berlin, Germany. After their honorable discharges Ruth and Russ returned to the United States. They lived in the Marshall area as well as Tarrytown, New York prior to settling in Marshall where they spent the majority of their married lives together. Russell preceded her in death on August 1, 1997. Ruth was a dedicated mother and homemaker. Her children's friends were always made welcome in their home. Later in life when she and Russ became grandparents the same pattern repeated itself, with the grandchildren being a big part of their lives. Ruth's most enjoyable times in life were with her family. Ruth was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She bowled in area bowling leagues on teams with her daughters. She enjoyed trips to the National Bowling Tournaments. She liked to play bingo and had fun on bus trips to different casinos with her friends. Ruth loved animals, especially her granddog Herbie. Surviving are her daughters and son-in-laws Ruth Ann and Gary Thomas of Marshall, Barbara and Rick Webb of Bellevue, and Mary and Jeff Williams of Battle Creek, her sons and daughter-in-law Russell P. and Joann Samson and Timothy W. Samson all of Marshall; 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a grandson Timothy J. Samson on Oct. 19, 1996, a sister Florence Pearce as an infant, and her brothers William, Frederick and Vincent Pearce, and her parents. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 723 US 27 North, Marshall on Monday 2p.m.-9p.m. where family will be present to greet friends and share memories 2p.m.-4p.m. and 6p.m.-8p.m.. A Rosary will be recited Monday at 6p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, Jan. 12 at St. Mary Catholic Church at 11a.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Assistance available at Kempf Funeral Home. Visit www.kempffuneralhome.com. to leave a memory.