Dean Samuelson

POLK - Dean E. "Sam" Samuelson, 86, of Polk died Monday, April 19, 2010, at Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Evangelical Free Church in Polk, with the Rev. Dick Bauer and Willis Pauls officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Solt Funeral Home in Polk. Burial will be in the Polk Cemetery.

Mr. Samuelson was born on Dec. 7, 1923, in Polk County to Emil and Josephine (Ehn) Samuelson.

On Jan. 26, 1951, Dean married Virginia M. "Ginny" Nyberg at the Evangelical Free Church in Polk.

Survivors of the immediate family include his wife, Virginia "Ginny" Samuelson of Polk; his children, Bruce and Debra Samuelson of Big Lake, Mo., Brad and Janet Samuelson of Arlington, Texas, Janette and Rod Roth of Beaver Crossing, Cheryl and Doug Anderson of Stromsburg; Gail and Rod Hanquist of Polk and Brian and Audrey Samuelson of Polk.

Also left to cherish his memory are grandchildren, Amy and Chris Falkner of Gardner, Kan., Alan and Becky Samuelson of Atchison, Kan., Danielle Samuelson and Blake Samuelson, both of Arlington, Texas, Kathleen Anderson and Kelsey Anderson, both of Stromsburg, Morgan and Bobbie Anderson of Oakville, Iowa, Brent Hanquist of Lafayette, Ind., Brenda and Guy Joly of Shoreview, Minn., Brandon Hanquist of Hurdland, Mo., Isaac Samuelson and Luke Samuelson, both of Lincoln and Kendra Samuelson of Polk; and great-grandchildren, Jordan, Payton, Tanner, Annabelle, Asher, Mason, and great-granddaughter in heaven, Brianna.

He attended District 70 Polk County School and High Prairie Country High School and graduated from Hordville High School in 1941. After completing his schooling, Dean farmed with his father and briefly worked at the Cornhusker Ordinance Plant in Grand Island in the early 1940's. Dean and Ginny farmed in Hamilton and Polk Counties and Dean drove the bus for Polk Schools in the 1960's and 1970's. Dean semi-retired from farming in 1988 and fully retired in the early 1990's.

Dean was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Free Church in Polk and was actively involved in all aspects of the church, including serving as Church Chairman, trustee, and Deacon. He was active in the Polk Senior Center and especially enjoyed the pool games there. Dean enjoyed attending Husker sports and later in life he developed a love for the game of golf. Dean faithfully attended the activities of his children as they grew up and then the activities of their children. His family, his faith, and farming were most important to Dean.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Louise Carlin and Adeline Harless; and a brother, Hilmer Samuelson.

Memorials are suggested to the Evangelical Free Church, the Polk Senior Center or the donor's choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltfh.com.

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