SAMSEL, M.A.

SAMSEL, HEENAN, RODRIGUEZ, MARTIN

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 5/23/2008 at 10:58:17

M. A. “Sammy” Samsel

M. A. “Sammy” Samsel, 95, of Cherokee, Iowa died Wednesday May 21, 2008 at the Cherokee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday May 24, 2008 at the Greenwood Funeral Home, Cherokee, Iowa. Rev. Armand Bertrand will officiate. Burial will be in the Mount Calvary Cemetery. Graveside Honors will be conducted by the V.F.W., L.A. Wescott Post #2253. Visitation will be Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. with the family present from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Online condolences may be left at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Sam was born on November 14, 1912 in Storm Lake, Iowa. Sam graduated from Wilson High School where he had an outstanding track career.In high school he was employed at Gildner Sauer Mens Wear, and St. Clair Kovaleske. He served the United States Navy in the Pacific Theatre as Radarman Second Class in World War II and was honorably discharged in December of 1945. After the war he returned to St. Clair Kovaleske to become managing partner. He then joined and retired from from Raymond's and Morey's Mens Wear in Sioux City, Iowa. He married Catherine Loretta Heenan July 5th, 1937.

Sam loved fishing, heading to the gambling boat, listening to his Iowa Hawkeyes, and following all of the Braves sports teams via the radio. You'd see him throughout town on his electric four wheeler "just to visit" his many friends. He was President of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce for two terms, and active as a retailer in Cherokee. He is remembered as one from the "greatest generation" and as a gentleman. He will be missed by Cherokee.

He is survived by his sons Richard and spouse Billie, and Michael and wife Marilyn Samsel. His Grandchildren include Matt, & Aaron Samsel, and Granddaughter Jamie and spouse Nick Rodriguez, with great grand child Samuel.

Other grandchildren include Chris and spouse Roxanne Samsel, with great grand children Christian, Tyson, and Dylan; and grandson Kyle with spouse Crystal, and great grand children Ashlynn and Colton Samsel, grandchildren Howard Martin and Mindy Martin and great grandchildren Grayson and Caitlin.

He was preceded in death by his father Percy, mother Lora, brother Lyle, sisters Fern, and Opal, and wife Bobbie.