VIOLET VIVIAN SAMUELSON
January 1, 1920 – December 15, 2009 

Violet Vivian Samuelson, age 89, a long time Menahga, MN and Park Rapids, MN resident, peacefully went to be with Jesus on early Tuesday morning, December 15, 2009 at Oakridge Homes in Wadena, MN.
Violet was born on January 1, 1920 on her parent’s farm in Meadow Township, southeast of Menahga, MN to Everett and Helmi (Markkula) Samuelson. It was in this same area that she attended country school and grew into womanhood. Violet lived with her mom for many years until the time of her mother’s death in 1962. She then went to reside with an aunt and uncle for a number of years and then later with her sister, Winefred. In 1978, Violet became a resident of Heartland Homes in Park Rapids where she was employed at the Day Activity Center for many years. She also did volunteer work at the Heritage Living Center and served as an RSVP Volunteer at the Senior Citizens Center in Park Rapids. She was a long time member of the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga and loved to have the Bible read to her. She enjoyed music and could be heard singing often, never forgetting all the verses to the many songs she sang. Violet also enjoyed reading and reciting poetry. Each day she looked forward to going out for coffee with her friends. She loved the freshness of spring and enjoyed hunting for the first lilacs and flowers to bloom. Violet also loved watching the sunrise each morning and sunset each evening. She enjoyed watching the Weather Channel on TV and also took great pride in her appearance insuring her fingernails looked pretty, her hair was stylishly in place and her jewelry matched. She will be long remembered for her great helpfulness in the kitchen and for the deep value she placed on spending time with her family and friends.
Violet will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Gwen (Leslie) Toppari of Frazee, MN as well as many nieces and nephews. She will also be deeply missed by her family at Heartland Homes in Park Rapids and Oakridge Homes in Wadena.
Violet was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Harley and Millard and three sisters: Winefred, Adney and Sharon.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, December 21, 2009 at the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with Reverend Steven Bruer officiating. The organist will be Shirley Anderson and the congregational hymns will be: “Abide With Me” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”. Special music will be provided by Kim Harrington who will sing “Some Day My Ship Will Sail”. The active casketbearers will be: Tammy Maaninga, Kelly Dudley, Lorlie Harrington, Mike McCann, Jacqué McCann, Carla Schwantz, Debbie Luther and Jim Kangas. Honorary casketbearers will be her friends from Heartland and Oakridge Homes. Interment will be in the Samuelson family plot at the Meadow Apostolic Cemetery southeast of Menahga. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services Monday morning at the church. Following the service a luncheon will be hosted by the First English Lutheran Church. To leave online condolences please visit www.cardinipearson.com. Services provided by Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home serving Menahga and Sebeka, Minnesota.