Mary Samuelson

Mary Samuelson, 85, passed away on Thursday, February 29 at Prairie Pointe in Altoona, Wisconsin.

Mary Elaine Johnson was born on July 21, 1938, in Menomonie, Wisconsin to Elmer and Mabel (Holman) Johnson.

Her early years were spent on a farm north of Boyceville, She attended Pleasant Hill School though the third grade. The family then moved to Boyceville where she went to Boyceville schools through the ninth grade. Her last three years were spent at Colfax High School, graduating in 1956.

Following graduation, she enrolled at Eau Claire Vocational School in the secretarial program. After attendance in summer school, she was employed by the vocational school as a secretary. Her career there spanned 38 years, retiring in 1996 as the executive assistant to the president of Chippewa Valley Technical College. Over the years she worked for four college administrators.

On April 15, 1961, she married Donald Samuelson at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. In 1963, Mary and Don moved to El Paso, TX where Don was serving in the Army at Fort Bliss. They returned to Eau Claire in 1965.

Mary enjoyed being part of a 500 card group for over 30 years and bowled in leagues for over 20 years. She was a member of Professional Secretaries International for many years. Hobbies included collecting depression glass, going to antique and craft shows, knitting and baking chocolate chip cookies. She enjoyed sharing Don's hobby with antique cars, attending many car show, parades and road tours.

Mary and Don had many pet cats over the years and one special little poodle, Ziggy. Animal welfare was important to Mary, volunteering at the Eau Claire County Humane Association.

In retirement, Mary was employed at American Girl for several holiday seasons as an order processor. She was a volunteer at the CV Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Visit Eau Claire) for 13 years, assisting guest in the visitor center.

Being an only child with no children, Mary always considered Don's family her family. She is survived by several cousins; Don's sister, LaVonne (Lou) Coover of San Diego, CA; sister-in-law, Mona Samuelson of Hot Springs Village, AR; nieces and nephews, Wayne (Dawn) Ross of Michigan, Steve Ross of New Mexico, Richard (Laurie), Eric (Pam) and Peter (Gail) Kragness of Pennsylvania, Lisa (Greg) Johnson of Florida, Larry (Allie) Coover and Lynn (Ed) Guardado of California and many great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Don; parents; brother, Andrew, in infancy; father and mother-in-law, Hilman and Margaret Samuelson; Don's siblings, Loretta (Bernard) Ross, Betty (Roger) Kragness and Wayne Samuelson and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, March, 16 at Grace Lutheran Church, 202 West Grand Ave., Eau Claire, with Rev. Dr. Philip Ruge-Jones officiating. Visitation will be Friday, March 15 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services, 814 1st Ave., Eau Claire and one hour prior to the service at the Church. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery, Eau Claire.

Memorial donations may be given to Eau Claire County Humane Association, 3900 Old Town Hall Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 or CVTC Foundation's Donald and Mary Samuelson Scholarship Fund, 620 W. Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54701

To express online condolences, please visit lenmarkfh.com.