Marjorie (Smith) Stewart Samuelson

Marjorie (Smith) Stewart Samuelson, 94, of Durand, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Care Partners on Birch Street in Eau Claire, where she has resided for the past four years. She was born on June 15, 1923 at home near Durand, to Arthur and Susan (Clark) Smith. Marjorie was the seventh of twelve children, ten boys and two girls. She was the last remaining sibling, passing just one week after her brother Norman. She attended the one room lower Spring Creek School through the eighth grade. She grew up in a loving family, living without many material things, sharing tasks on the farm with her siblings and caring for her youngest brothers. Marjorie worked at various jobs during her teenage years. She fell in love with a neighboring farm boy, Andrew Stewart, and they were married July 1, 1942 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand. She and Andrew resided on the homestead farm where Andrew was born and raised. To that union, there were born six sons. Marjorie was a full-time homemaker and worked beside Andrew operating the farm, raising large gardens, and being a wonderful, loving wife and mother. She loved to cook, making good meals for her family and guests. In those years, the neighboring farmers worked together harvesting crops and she once commented that “it was such a pleasure cooking for those men who worked hard and were so appreciative of the large meals and especially looked forward to my homemade apple and pumpkin pies.” Without a formal education, Marjorie was very intellectual, compassionate, quiet mannered, a good listener, and advisor, and was always concerned for the welfare of her children. She and Andrew loved playing cards, dancing to old time music and they attended lots of community and wedding dances. Andrew passed away unexpectedly in March of 1969, leaving Marjorie with her two youngest sons still at home. After a few years, Marjorie sold the farm and moved into town. She then married a widowed neighbor and family friend, Vincent Samuelson. Vince was very attentive to Marjorie and was welcomed into her family with open arms. They were a very compatible couple, both giving people that loved to help others in need. They enjoyed socializing with relatives and friends, fishing, and camping and attending family gatherings. Her life with Vince was very happy and gave her opportunities for many enjoyable ventures and fun things that time did not permit when 0n the farm raising a family. In the later years when Vince fell ill, she cared for him all she could with love and affection. After Vince’s passing, Marjorie continued to reside in her Durand home until she could no longer be alone due to the onset of dementia. She then moved to the Home Place in Mondovi until 2014 when she moved to Care Partners in Eau Claire.
The family is so grateful to Nicole Weber and the staff at Care Partners for their dedicated attention and care of Marjorie and to Kathy Wirkus and staff at Heartland Hospice for their special care in the last few days of her life.
Marjorie is survived by five sons, LaVern (special friend, Sandra) of Eau Claire, Donald (Karene) of New Lisbon, Norbert (Sally) of Durand, Allen (Fiance` Kara) of Clearwater, MN, Delbert (Connie) of Ridgeland; a daughter–in-law, Mary Stewart of Alma; two sisters-in-law, Verta Smith and Delores Smith, both of Durand; 17 grandchildren, 13 step grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren and great-great step grandchildren and many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, a son Bernard, a grandson, Austin, great grandson, Collin; one sister, Ila, 10 brothers, Elwin, Ralph, Garold, Floyd, Robert, Earl, Lyle, Kenneth, Raymond, Norman.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 12:00 PM (Noon) Wednesday March 21, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand with Rev. Paul Bosco officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Visitation was held from 10:30 AM Wednesday until the time of the services at the church on Wednesday.
Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuneralhome.com
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Durand is serving the family.