William Laurence Samuelson, 74, lifetime resident of International Falls, entered into rest Aug. 4, 2008, at Falls Good Samaritan Center following a long struggle with multiple sclerosis.
Bill was born in International Falls in 1933 to Arthur and Ellen (Martin) Samuelson.
He graduated from Falls Senior High School in 1951 and enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as a flight engineer during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1955.
Bill was a respected businessman, employed 17 1/2 years as manager of the National Food Store. He was manager of Bridgeman’s and Cine 1 & 2 from opening until 1977.
Bill was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, past president of the Retail Merchants Association, member of the Jaycees, Moose Club, and VFW Club. He was also a member of the Range Retriever Club and a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ellen Samuelson, step-father, Ulysses (Al) Gardner, and sister, Sandra Tessier.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Darlyss (Henrikson); his sons and their families, Larry and his companion, Vicki DiQuinzio, children Salvatore and Chrissi DiQuinzio and granddaughter Lexi; David and his wife, Diane (Brzozowski) and sons Jacob and Stephen; his daughter, Shelley and her husband, Keith and their children, Lauren, Allison and Benjamin Ramsdell; his stepmother, Edna Anderson of Bella Vista, Ark.; his sisters and families: Sharon (Keith) Wiggins and Sherry (Doug) Evans, brother-in-law Thomas Tessier and many nieces and nephews and a special daughter, Stacey (Tony) Moss and children, Trevor, Tony, and Hope Marie.
A memorial service with military rites will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Zion Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Zion Lutheran Church, Falls Good Samaritan Center, Falls High Alumni Association, Minnesota MS Society, P.O. Box 582659, Minneapolis, MN 55458-2659, or charity of choice.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com [1].
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.