Harry William Samuelson

  Harry William Samuelson, age 90, of Menahga, MN was called to rest on August 20, 2018 at Rose Haven Assisted Living in Menahga MN. Harry was born to Benjamin and Sophia (Nevala) Samuelson on October 16, 1927 in Paddock Township, Ottertail County, MN. Harry attended grade school in District 216 in Ottertail County. He spoke fondly of his Grandmother who lived with them and was very instrumental in Harry’s early years, and how sad he was when he came home from school one day to find out she had passed away. After graduating from Sebeka High School In 1946, Harry attended school in Minneapolis where he studied Morse Code.  Harry was drafted and served in the 304th battalion of the Signal Corps of the United States Army during the Korean War. Because of his education in Morse Code, he was able to take and pass a test to be a Teletype Operator.  After basic training in Fort Riley, KS, he spent 3 months in Japan where he had his Communication training. He was then stationed in Seoul, Korea from November 1950-November 1952. Harry was united in marriage to Audrey Savela on July 9, 1955 in Sebeka. They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They first lived on the Samuelson family farm near Sebeka. In 1957 they moved to Virginia, MN where Harry worked for the Erie Mining Company before he started with the Post Office where he was employed for 18 years. In 1978 they moved to Menahga where they built a home on Twin Lakes.  Harry worked in Real Estate and was the Caretaker at Stony Lake Camp. In 1987 they sold their lake home and moved into Menahga where Harry transformed their yard into beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Gardening was a year long hobby for Harry and he was always planning for the next year and experimenting with different and new gardening methods.  In addition to his own yard, he was part of the Gardening club and helped with the Menahga City Gardens. He designed the landscaping for Menahga Laestadian Lutheran Church and others. He also often provided fresh flowers for the Menahga church. Harry loved to visit and kept up to date on current events, both locally and nationally which made for a lot of very interesting and educational conversations for those fortunate to have known him. In later years, Harry began to have health issues that may have slowed him down a bit, but didn’t stop him from doing what he loved. He kept busy gardening and continued to make plan for next year’s garden, until just a couple weeks before God saw fit to call a weary and tired traveler home.  On Sunday, Aug 6, Harry was admitted to St Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids with a brain bleed from a fall he took a few days before. Only the day before he had been out walking and working in his garden. From the hospital he moved into Rose Haven Assisted Living in Menahga, where he spent his final days. Harry touched many lives and will be fondly remembered and missed by all who knew him. He was a member of the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga. Harry is survived by his wife Audrey of Menahga, MN, many nieces and nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Walter (Ina), Arnold, Arthur (Violet) and Raymond  (Norma) and sisters, Alina (Edwin) Niemela, Pearl (Arvid) Isaccson, Sylvia (Edwin) Hillukka, Florence (Wesley) Hillukka, Irene, and Ruth. He is also survived by many brothers and sisters in faith.Funeral Services will be held at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be held Friday, August 24, 2018 from 5-8 pm at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga and continue one hour prior to the service. Prayer service at 7:00 pm. Interment will be held at the Menahga City Cemetery.