Theodore John "Ted" Samuelson

Theodore John 'Ted' Samuelson, 76, of Billings, died of natural causes on April 21, 2004, at Deaconess Hospital in Billings.
He was born May 1, 1928, at International Falls, Minn., a son of Gudrun (Johannesson) and Samuel Samuelson. In 1946, he graduated from Cavalier High School in Cavalier, N.D., and then served with the U.S. Navy in San Diego for two years. He graduated from Mayville State Teacher's College in Mayville, N.D. in 1951, an taught for a year. He then did graduate work in economics at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
In 1950, he married Mary Ellen Spangelo at Mountain, N.D.
Ted enjoyed a career with the Northern Pacific and Burlington Northern Railroads that spanned 32 years and positions in six states including Minnesota, North Dakota, Washington, Oregon, Nebraska, and Montana. He was trainmaster in Livingston from 1967 to 1969, and returned to the state in 1981 as regional director of safety and rules at the Billings office.
In his retirement, he was an avid collector of glass, enjoyed researching genealogy on his Icelandic heritage. He had a lifelong interest in gardening and reading history.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen, of Billings; two sons, Alan (Theresa) of Ramsey, Minn. and John of Valley City, N.D.; two daughters, Cynthia (Thomas) Markle of Glasgow, and Kelly (Scott) Sable of Maple Grove, Minn.; four granddaughters, Nicole, Katie, and Lauren Sable and Willa Samuelson; two brothers; three sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services and burial will be conducted this summer in Cavalier, N.D., where he was raised. Cremation has taken place.