Lifelong Wallace County resident Dale O. Samuelson passed away on December 9th, 2019, after a sudden and devastating illness.
Dale was born on May 24th, 1955 to L.O. “Sam” and Clemma Jean (Hickle) Samuelson in Cheyenne Wells, CO. He graduated Wallace County High School in 1973. Following graduation, he attended the Beloit Vocational School to study bricklaying/ masonry. As it was for father and brother, Rodney, trains were in his blood. He went to work for Union Pacific Railroad as a section man in 1975. In the spring of ’75 a tornado and flooding hit the Hoxie, KS area and Dale was a part of the crew sent to fix the tracks. Every morning the crew would eat breakfast at the Hoxie Lanes Café. This is where he met the love of his life, Julie Liester, she was their morning waitress. The family always loves to hear about how she finally had to ask him out and how in March of ’76, when he asked what she wanted for her birthday, she took him to Shaw Jewelers and showed him. The couple were married on August 7th, 1976 in an outdoor ceremony at the Liester residence in Hoxie, KS. While the ceremony itself only lasted seven and a half minutes, the marriage lasted 43 wonderful years.
To this union, two daughters were born. Rebecca Jo in May of 1980 and Sunny Dale in July of 1982. In 1989 a third Daughter, Yvonne Marie, April of 1975, was added to the family and was a perfect fit. Dale adored his girls and spent hours upon hours with them and later on with his grandkids. He was a gem of a family man! A great Son, Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather, great Grandfather, Uncle and Friend. His passing has been devastating to them all.
Dale worked for Union Pacific Railroad for 40 years. At the time of his retirement he was Section Foreman. Dale was a member of Masonic Lodge 417 in Sharon Springs, with a duel membership in the Wallace Lodge at Winona, as well as, his membership as a Shriner. He loved being a part of both organizations and spending time with his “Brothers”. Some of his favorite Lodge activities were participating in the parades in the local area, riding the motorcycles, along with riding with the local third graders to the Shrine Circus in Salina for the past 4 years.
Dale was on the Wallace County School Board during the 90’s and was instrumental in helping to get the new school built.
He was a member of the Sharon Springs Golf Association and many days could be found “smacking a ball around” with his adored wife Julie, kids, grandkids, and many other golf buddies. He and Julie could also be found volunteering their time mowing the course, planting trees, flowers and pruning the established trees. He was very proud of how our volunteers maintained and ran the course. He was more than happy to be able to do his part.
Dale was also a long-time member of the Wallace County Pitch Association, where he was partners with his Dad for as long as Sam could play. Son-in-law, Don Henderson, then stepped in as Dale’s partner.
He loved spending time in the kitchen with Julie helping her cook, and getting Granddaughter, Vivian’s lunch ready every day, so that he could take it to her at the school. He also enjoyed bowling, gardening, helping with the Beautification Committee, the Visitors Bureau, the Fair Board and anywhere else he saw a place that he could be of service.
At the time of his death, Dale had been working part-time as a Maintenance man for Prairie Village Retirement Community, along with helping his best friend, Jon Voth, during harvest.
Dale is mourned by his wife, Julie; Daughters, Yvonne (Thom) Kirk of Strong City, KS; Rebecca Samuelson, Sharon Springs, KS; Sunny (Don) Henderson, Sharon Springs, KS; Sisters, Rona (Everett) Langdon, Sharon Springs, KS; Linda (David) Schroeder, Aurora, CO; Brothers, Rodney (Pam) Samuelson, Sidney, NE; Curtis (Judy) Samuelson, Littleton, CO. His beloved Grandchildren; Cody Kirk and Becca Baker of Cottonwood Falls, KS; Thomas (Taylor) Kirk of Emporia, KS, Randi (Jarrod) Glissman of Des Moines, IA; Ronnie and Dale Cloyd of Sharon Springs, KS; Helaina Krayca and Vivian Henderson of Sharon Springs, KS; and one great Granddaughter, Sage Kirk of Cottonwood Falls, KS. As well as, all of his nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. Dale was proceeded in death by his parents, Clemma Jean and L.O. Samuelson father-in-law, Clyde and mother-in-law, Iola Liester.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when times are gray. So, please don’t take my sunshine away.”