Obituary of Eunice Jeanette Samuelson

Eunice Jeanette Samuelson, 92, Lindsborg, KS, passed away Nov 21, 2016 at Bethany Home. Eunice was born April 3, 1924 in Ruleton, KS, fourth of the 11 children of Seth and Martha Duell. She grew up on the family farm, graduated from Ruleton High School and attended business college in Denver, CO and Bethany College, Lindsborg. On November 9, 1945, Eunice married Navy LT Harry Victor Samuelson of Olsburg, KS, This 57-year union was blessed with 6 children. Harry and Eunice also opened their hearts and home to foster children. Nineteen different children found a home with them for varying lengths of time. These included Renee Barnhart (Philip), Kansas City, MO, and Tashia Dose (Gary), Pinehurst, ID, who lived with them for five formative years before their adoption. To Eunice’s great joy, these young women have remained in contact to this day. Eunice lived her entire life in small Kansas communities, including a decade each in Council Grove and Reading, serving her family, community, and church wherever she dwelt. Before moving to Lindsborg in 2015, she lived in Frankfort for 45 years where she was active in the community and as a caregiver to many. In addition to volunteering at the Frankfort Care Home for 20 years, Eunice served on its Board of Directors and, in her 70’s, she completed Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training to develop her skills as a caregiver. She remained a hospice volunteer until she was nearly 90 years old. Eunice shared her musical talents wherever she lived. She was organist at Salem Lutheran Church, Axtell, for almost 40 years. She played organ or piano for countless weddings, funerals, community and charity events, and accompanied a multitude of school music soloists at festivals. Her love of music has been passed down to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Eunice was also an excellent seamstress, making clothes and quilts, and creating crafts for family and community. Eunice was a life-long learner and keen observer of life. A highlight of her life was a study trip to Israel with her two daughters in 1985. In the month before her death, she completed reading Eric Metaxas’ epic biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and had numerous discussions of the events and persons in it, relating them to her own memories of that time in world history. She was a true patriot, insisting on attending the community Veterans Day celebration this month and, as always, resolutely exercising her right to vote in this year’s election. Her deep faith and abiding love for her Lord caused Eunice’s life to be marked by service to and love for others. Eunice’s gracious Christ-like manner endeared her to everyone who met her and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Preceding Eunice in death were her husband (Harry), two infant children (Daniel Seth and Jeanne Marie) and brothers, Wendell, Arthur, LeRoy, Joseph, Jonathan, and Theodore. Survivors include: two sons, David Samuelson (Ann), Falun KS and Gary Samuelson (Lisa), San Jose, CA; two daughters, Mary Ehrlich (Larry), Oshkosh WI and Ruth Mulari (Samuel), Minneapolis MN; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Also surviving her are two sisters: Ruth Trued, Lindsborg and Rachel Purvis (Frank), Lawrence; two brothers, Benjamin Duell, Ruleton and Norman Duell (Harriet), Holyoke, CO; sisters-in-law Virginia Duell and Ellen Duell; and many beloved friends and extended family. Services will be held at Salem Lutheran Church, Axtell, KS on December 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. with interment to follow at Mariadahl Cemetery, Olsburg, KS. A brief memorial service will also be held in the Bethany Home Chapel on November 29, 2016 at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to Gideons International, to Jerusalem Cornerstone Foundation, or to the Christ-serving charity of your choice in care of Christians Funeral Home, 103 N Washington, Lindsborg, KS 67456. On-line condolences to www.christiansfuneralhome.com