Onie Arthur Samuelson

ONIE ARTHUR SAMUELSON August 21, 1918 – October 17, 2020 Onie Arthur Samuelson, age 102, a long time Menahga, MN area resident was peacefully called home by his Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga. Onie was born on August 21, 1918 on the home farm in Blueberry township near Menahga, MN to Herman and Hannah (Haverinen) Samuelson. He attended public school in Menahga as the first class to begin and graduate out of the newly built Menahga Public School building, graduating with the Class of 1937. On March 13, 1940, Onie was united in marriage to Violet Bentti and they were blessed with four children: Gloriann, Judy, Wayne, and Blaine. World War II broke out shortly after their marriage and Onie entered the United States Navy where he bravely served his country in the Pacific Theatre of War throughout the Philippine Islands, Okinawa, and Hawaii from 1943 – 1945. After receiving his honorable discharge, Onie returned to the farm in Menahga, Minnesota to his young family. He gained employment working for American Steel and wire of Duluth for three years and then began working as a machinist for the Clyde Iron Works Company in Duluth in a career that spanned over 25 years. Even though he was busy working full time, Onie worked nights and weekends building his family a new home in Duluth; actually over his career, Onie built a total of three homes as well as a family cabin on Martin Lake near Duluth. Onie loved his family very much. He treasured the times spent at the cabin with his family fishing and hunting. He loved family gatherings at weddings, baptisms, birthday parties, and picnics by the lake. He was honored to be asked to recite The Lord’s Prayer in Finn at weddings of great-grandchildren and really appreciated the love shown to him at his birthday party each year by his family which always touched him deeply and he enjoyed immensely. After his retirement, he and Violet traveled in their RV visiting a total of 47 states during the winter months. He was a man of faith and was very active in his church in Duluth and after retirement, the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga. Onie and his precious wife, Violet enjoyed 62 years of marriage together until the time of her death. Onie was married to Betty Neal on November 2, 2002 in Menahga. He was 84 and Betty was 72. They resided in his home in Menahga until 2011, when they moved to Woodside Manor in Menahga. They were complete opposites in many ways; including, their origins, their religion, their politics- you name it; but, they lived happily and peacefully anyway. Every Sunday morning, they would first attend Onie’s church, First English in Menahga, and then head to Betty’s church, First Baptist in Park Rapids. They enjoyed traveling North to South and East to West each having a great time along the way. Throughout their 18 years together each and every day was an adventure. Onie will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Betty; his four children: Gloriann Larson of West Fargo, Judy (Tom) Knutson of Spokane, WA, Wayne (Michelle) Samuelson of Cambridge, MN and Blaine Samuelson of St. Cloud, MN; his 12 dearly loved grandchildren: Sandy Zimmerman, Kevin Larson, Dori Bunnell, Jamie Larson, Brian Larson, Dan Knutson, Debbie Knutson, Cheri Knutson, Mike Samuelson, Luanne Samuelson, Melissa Samuelson, and Lisa Samuelson; 27 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Violet; his parents; 6 brothers and 3 sisters; his granddaughter, Michelle Samuelson, and a great-grandson, Brandon Bunnell, and his son-in-law, Jerry Larson. Memorial services are set for 11 AM Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the First English Lutheran Church of Menahga with Reverend James Hallaway officiating. Inurnment will be made in the Menahga City Cemetery of Menahga. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.cardinipearson.com