Judy Ann Samuelson

Judy Ann Samuelson, 82, of Kearney, Nebraska, passed away on August 10, 2026, at Bryan Health in Lincoln, Nebraska. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at First Lutheran Church in Kearney, NE on August 15 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. There will be a celebration of life service and burial at Elfsborg Lutheran Church in Pomeroy, IA on August 29, 2026, at 11:00 am. Judy was born on June 14, 1944, and was raised on a farm near Palmer, Iowa. She attended a one-room country schoolhouse and graduated from Palmer High School in 1963. After high school, Judy pursued her dream career as a travel agent. She began working with Travel and Transport in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She spent nearly 40 years helping others create unforgettable vacations and travel experiences. Through her career, she also enjoyed traveling the world herself, with favorite destinations including Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, and Australia. She loved sharing stories of her adventures, especially her first trip to Hawaii and staying at the Coco Palms Resort shortly after Elvis Presley filmed Blue Hawaii there. On June 11, 1966, Judy married Curtis Samuelson. Together they farmed near Fonda, Iowa, where Judy also worked at Powhatan Travel Agency. In 1992, they moved to Kearney, Nebraska, where Judy continued her career with Holiday Tour & Travel and later AAA Travel. Her warm personality and dedication to her clients earned her many lifelong friendships and loyal customers. Judy loved watching Big 10 sports, playing games with her friends and family, and most of all socializing; her greatest joy, though, was her family. She is survived by her children: Kim (Rick) Langel of Ankeny, Iowa; Brad (Jennifer) Samuelson of Gibbon, Nebraska; and Ryan (Lindi) Samuelson of Kearney, Nebraska. She was a proud grandmother to Amber (Chase), Austin, Brady, Bentley, Ethan, Hayden, Reid, and Beckitt, and a cherished great-grandmother to Bailey and Colt; brothers-in-law, Myrvin Samuelson; Darwin Samuelson; sisters-in-law, Venice Wahl, Diane Bruch, Karen Stamper; and many nieces and nephews. Judy was a devoted member of First Lutheran Church in Kearney and maintained a special connection to her home congregation, Elfsborg Lutheran Church in Pomeroy, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Samuelson; her parents, Harold and Pauline Maas; her sister, Charleen Samuelson; her brother, Paul Maas; and her mother & father-in-law, Hilding & Jennie Samuelson. Judy will be remembered for her faith, kindness, adventurous spirit, and the love she shared with family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Judy Ann Samuelson

June 14, 1944 - August 10, 2026