Dr. Charles Samuelson known to many as Doc Sam entered into the arms of his Loving Lord Saturday, September 27, 2008 with his son Matthew at his side.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. John Voelker, Ph.D. officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday at the church.

Doc Sam was born February 10, 1927 at home on the farm near Crookston, MN to Richard and Helen (Olson) Samuelson.

He attended Burnham Creek country school and the NorthWest School of Agriculture, Crookston. He spoke fondly of both. He referred to his fellow classmates at the NW School as his brothers and sisters. He felt he received an excellent education there.

He graduated with the class of 1943 and last June he organized and attended their 65th Class Reunion

He was a hired man on area farms for a few years. It was after a summer of pitching hay bales that he decided there had to be a better way to make a living!

He enrolled at the then Moorhead State Teachers College. His education was interrupted when the National Guard was called out during the Korean War. He served at Camp Rucker, Alabama and Fort Benning, GA. When his enlistment was up he returned to Moorhead State.

He received his Master of Arts degree in Biological Science from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley in 1956. He attended the University of MN and received a PhD in entomology from North Dakota State University in 1973. His thesis was on the life cycle of the sunflower midge.

His first teaching job was in Dawson, MN. He came to Thief River Falls in 1955 to teach biology, Spanish and chemistry at Lincoln High School.

In 1965 he left his secure position at Lincoln to become one of the four original faculty members of the then newly formed Northland Community College. It turned out to be a very wise move. He retired from there in 1992.

Doc Sam taught many of the classes in the nursing program. Now in later years much of the fine care he received was from former students.

Doc Sam was a man of many interests. He had a thirst for knowledge and a desire to share that knowledge. He was known for his jokes and stories.

He rejoiced in the successes of his students. He liked nothing more than to see a so called ho-hum student realize the importance of education and turn his life around. Name three people who care if you pass this class, he would say. Meaning if you dont care, nobody cares!

The last function he attended before entering the hospital was the reunion of the class of 1958. These things were important to him.

He enjoyed ice skating and for many years took part in the Ice Revue put on by Ila Anderson. He played a decent game of golf. He enjoyed the aerobics class at the Heritage Center and in retirement he took piano lessons from Jan Lee.

He was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church and never said no to anything his church asked him to do. He served on the church council and could be found scrubbing pots and pans in the kitchen at the lutefisk supper.

He was a man often ahead of the times. At one time he wrote to a then government official suggesting that there be a universal number people could call in an emergency. He has in his file a letter telling him what an absolutely stupid idea that was. Shortly after, 911 came to be.

He was active in the local Lions Club, a Melvin Jones Fellow. His special project was the two Halloween parties for area children. One of the last things he did was make arrangements for those parties.

He was a member of the American Legion and served a term as the local Commander.

He married Idella Medchill on April 6, 1956 and they have resided at 206 South Maple for 49 of their 52 years together.

They enjoyed traveling. When the family was young they traveled throughout the country with their camper. In retirement they made eight trips to Europe and one to Australia. He enjoyed remembering the things he had seen and done.

Charles and Idella adopted three children who are their pride and joy. They are David and his wife Lisa of Bloomington, MN. Sarah and her husband John Kondratuk of Kennan, WI and Matthew and his wife Andrea now of Thief River Falls.

He was Grandpa Sam to his grandchildren and was never too busy to spend time with them. Grandma would say she would be standing there with packages and the little on would run right past her to Grandpa. He would have tic tac in his pockets!

Grandchildren include Nicole and her husband Eli Corbin of Superior, WI, Joshua Madden of Eau Claire, WI, Kevin and Carrie Kondratuk of Kennan, WI. Lindsey, Peter, Abigale and Jacob Samuelson of Thief River Falls and Haley, Hope, and Hannah of Bloomington. One great-granddaughter, Ella Corbin.

He is survived by his wife Idella, his children and grandchildren, two brothers: Lester and his wife Bernice of Mentor, MN and Roger and his wife Lois of Crookston. Sister in law Juanita Samuelson of Crookston and sister in law Clarice and her husband Don Miller of Seattle, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

Pianist: Jan Lee
Special Music: Laurel Johnson & Lyndon Johnson
Selections: Children Of The Heavenly Father, Going Home & Jesus Loves Me Medley
Congregational Hymns: I Love To Tell The Story, Because He Lives
Pallbearers: Eric Samuelson, Robert Samuelson, Jeffrey Volk, Scott Balstad, Tim Bristol, Paul Unruh, Eli Corbin, Joshua Madden, Peter Samuelson
Honorary Pallbearers: All who called Doc Sam a friend.
Military Honors: American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117 & Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793