Arnold "Arnie" L Samuelson

Arnold "Arnie" L. Samuelson, 89, of Mesa, AZ, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019 in Arizona. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bancroft, NE; Pastor Nathan Henschen will be officiating. A visitation will be Friday, June 21, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE. Burial with military honors will be in the Bancroft Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft.

Arnie was born February 8, 1930 to Arvid and Bertha (Pates) Samuelson on a farm west of Lyons, NE. He was baptized (April 20, 1930) and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in West Point, NE. Arnie graduated from Lyons High School in 1947, and entered the U.S. Army in Jan 1952.  His basic training took place at Camp Roberts and Camp Cook, CA. He was shipped overseas in Sep of 1952 and assigned to the 45^th Division in Korea where he spent significant combat time on Sandbag Castle and Christmas Hill. Arnie rose to the rank of Sergeant 1^st Class and became Sergeant Major of 3rd BN, 180th Infantry, having achieved this leadership rank and position within less than two years of service time. This was a reflection of his extraordinary leadership and combat bravery. Arnie earned several military awards, which included the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Korean Service Medal. Instead of accepting the Army’s offer of Chief Master Sergeant rank, he ended his service in 1954 to return to the farm north of Bancroft, NE.

Arnie met the love of his life, Mila Jean Krusemark, and they were united in marriage on Jun 10, 1956. Together they hosted the Nebraska State Cornpicking Contest in Oct 1964, a tribute to their beautiful farm they worked so hard to plant and harvest each year. They had three children, Mick, Linda, and Jill, and built their home in Bancroft in 1966 to raise their family. Arnie’s dedicated service continued in every community he lived, always willing to help friends and family. His involvement included positions in Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, and Volunteer Fire & Rescue. Arnie was always the proud papa, supporting his children throughout their activities and adventures. Arnie retired from farming in 1979, and after much travelling, settled with Mila Jean in their Mesa, AZ retirement village of Monte Vista. He drove his magical tour bus for Arrow Stage lines and Coach USA prior to full retirement.  Arnie was the proudest and most loving friend, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather any family could ever hope for. Arnie earned his greatest reward with his Lord in Heaven, and is awaiting the rest of his family and friends to join him in eternal life.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Mila Jean (Krusemark); son, Mick (Doris) Samuelson; daughters, Linda (Kurt) Bjorn, Jill (Guy) Teafatiller; grandchildren, Hunter (Jenna) Teafatiller, Kirsten (John) Ouimette, Katy (Cody) Bratton, Karl (Sarah) Bjorn, Marta Bjorn; great-grandchildren, Cora and Astrid Ouimette, Marshall Bratton; sister, Ina Welding; and many other wonderful relatives and friends.

Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, Arvid and Bertha Samuelson; sister, Lucille Poledna; brother, Arvid Samuelson, Jr.; brothers-in-law, Harold Welding and Dennis Poledna; and sister-in-law Imogene Samuelson.