Melvin Victor Samuelson

Melvin V. Samuelson, age 94, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at his home in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Fairfield Township Cemetery in Albert City, Iowa. Visitation will take place Friday, May 22, 2015 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Memorials may be directed to the Melvin Samuelson Scholarship Fund c/o Iowa Central Community College or the St. Mark Lutheran Scholarship Fund. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Melvin Victor Samuelson was born April 30, 1921 in Albert City, Iowa, the son of Carl V. and Minnie Malinda (Hackerson) Samuelson. Melvin grew up in the Albert City area, graduating from Albert City High School in 1940. Melvin enlisted into the United States Navy on September 14, 1942. He proudly served his country until his honorable discharge on March 22, 1946. On October 27, 1944, Melvin was united in marriage to Clara Gregersen at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta, Iowa. Together they were blessed with four daughters: Colleen, Linda, Brenda, and Christine. In 1947, Melvin graduated from Buena Vista College and started teaching business at Alta High School from 1947-1951. In 1951, he was granted his Master’s Degree from the University of South Dakota. Melvin was the Superintendent for many community schools throughout his lifetime. From July 1951 – 1955 he was the Superintendent of Schools in Linn Grove, from July 1955 – 1967 he was the Superintendent of Schools in Alta, from 1967 – 1975 he was the Assistant Superintendent at Storm Lake Community Schools, and from 1975 until 1986 he was Superintendent of Schools at Storm Lake Community Schools. During his tenure at Storm Lake he completed his work at Iowa State University for Administration. It was during this time he worked with the League of Schools and Iowa Central Community College resulting in a Storm Lake campus site. Melvin served on the Grand View College board, the Augustana College Board, Sioux Falls, and of course the Iowa Central Community College board, which he also served as chair. The Storm Lake site was named for him in 2004. Melvin received the Humanitarian Award in 2012 from Iowa Central Community College and was named to the Iowa Central Triton Hall of Fame. He also served on the state organization for community college boards and was president. Melvin was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. He served in leadership positions within the church both locally and at the synod level. Melvin also was a long time member of Kiwanis and had perfect attendance. He has served as president, cooked many turkey filets, and worked many Kiwanis sponsored events. Melvin helped to resettle Tai Dam refugees from Laos, helping with relocation housing, employment, and adapting to their new culture. Throughout his life, he served as a blood donor, donating over twelve gallons of blood for others. Most of all, Melvin loved his family. He will be remembered as a hard-working and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend to many. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Clara Samuelson of Storm Lake, Iowa; children: Colleen (Michael) Last of Mason City, Iowa; Linda (James) Klingensmith of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Brenda Samuelson of Storm Lake, Iowa; Christine Samuelson of Los Angeles, California; grandchildren: Gretchen (Michael) Stanley, Andrew Last, Megan (Trevor) Koch, Joseph Last, Katherine Klingensmith, Meade Klingensmith, Erik Olson, Kaj Olson; great-grandchildren: Noah and Christian Stanley, Marinus Nordstrom, Myles Koch; sister, Marian Rankin of Alameda, California; nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Vernon Samuelson;niece, Carrol Ann Samuelson, and nephew, Gary Rankin.

Melvin Victor Samuelson

April 30, 1921 - May 19, 2015