Robert Samuelson, 86, of Lafe, Arkansas formerly of Thief River Falls, MN died Friday, July 31, 2009 at Springdale, Arkansas.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 8, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Terri Cuppett officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN. Military honors will be provided by the Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post #117 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, August 7, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.

Robert Everett Samuelson was born January 7, 1923 at home in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Olaf and Mary (Lien) Samuelson. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and attended school in St. Hilaire.

Robert served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from November 27, 1941 until May 26, 1942 in the Middle River/Thief Lake area Camp 710. He served with the United States Navy from 1943 until 1946 as Aviation Radio Man " 3rd Class. Following his Honorable Discharge, Robert moved to Kansas City, Kansas and went to work for Colgate-Palmolive. He worked there for over 30 years.

In 1956 Robert was united in marriage to Mary Ruth Marvine and to this union there were three children born, Debra, James and Robert.

He enjoyed gardening, fishing, traveling to Minnesota to visit family and friends, and taking part in the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag.

Survivors include three children, Debra Vincent of Lafe, AR, James (Cathy) Samuelson of Rogers, AR and Robert Samuelson, Jr. of Lafe, AR; 13 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lillian Holmstrom of Thief River Falls, MN, Jean (Harold) Brandon of Middle River, MN, Evelyn Peterson of Thief River Falls, MN, Avis Freed of Oak Park, IL, Joyce (Gordon) Pyrtle of Bella Vista, AR; he is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by parents; brothers, James, Lloyd and Virgil; and sister, Ila.

ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SPECIAL MUSIC: Whitney Halvorson & Rhandi Jo Knutson
SELECTION: On Eagles Wings & "Go Rest High On That Mountain"
"On Eagle's Wings" accompanied by Elizabeth Schenkey
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art & In The Garden
CASKETEARERS: Scott Brandon, Terry Brandon, Tim Holmstrom, Harold Brandon, Jerry Altendorf, Keith Peterson