Samsel, Joann (1939-2015)

SAMSEL, FRAY, MCFARLAND, THOMAS, JOHNSON, BOYD, WEHMEYER, HANDY, DICKS, MCNATT, MILLER, CARBAUGH

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 4/25/2015 at 22:56:55

Joann Samsel
June 21, 1939 - March 26, 2015

Joann Charlotte Fray, a daughter of Ivan C. and Lucile (McFarland) Fray, was born on June 21, 1939, in Fairfield, Iowa. In 1955, she was adopted by Richard and Cleta Thomas of Storm Lake. In 1958, she graduated from Storm Lake High School. In 1961, she graduated from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake with a degree in elementary education. On June 23, 1963, she married Tom Samsel at the Church of Christ in Storm Lake.

Joann began her career teaching fourth grade in Fairmont, Minnesota. Later, after became certified to teach art, she taught at Newell, St. Mary’s in Storm Lake, Sioux Rapids-Rembrandt, and Aurelia. Joann and Tom owned and operated the Photo-Craft photography studio in Storm Lake. For many years, Joann was a home health provider for family and friends. A member of the Church of Christ, she served as the organist for several years. She had an outgoing personality, and no one remained a stranger for long.

Joann died on Thursday, March 26, 2015, at Unity Point St. Luke’s Health Center in Sioux City after a battle with cancer.

Preceding Joann in death were her parents, two sisters, Virginia Johnson and Joyce Boyd, and two brothers, Frank Wehmeyer and Steven Handy.

Survivors include her husband, Tom, of Lakeside; two sisters, Pauline, and her husband, Ernie Dicks, of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Linda McNatt, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three brothers, Carl Miller, of Oregon, Ivan Carbaugh, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Warren, and his wife, Elizabeth Wehmeyer, of Washington; two brothers-in-law, Gene Johnson, of Greenville, Tennessee, and Richard Boyd, of Ottumwa; and one sister-in-law, Carolyn Handy, of Ottumwa, as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A celebration of life gathering for Joann Samsel, 75, of Lakeside, will be held from 6:30 until 8:00 P.M. on Monday, March 30, 2015, at the Church of Christ in Storm Lake. At a later date, a private family burial will take place in the Storm Lake Cemetery. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Copyright © 2015, Redig Funeral Home, Aurelia, Iowa

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