E. L. Samuelson

Funeral Services for Ellsworth L. "E.L." Samuelson will be conducted from the Moses Hill Evangelical Covenant Church of rural Loomis, Nebraska on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Craig Roberts and Mr. Wayne Carlson, officiating. Interment will be in the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County.

Ellsworth LaVern "E.L." Samuelson, 87 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of rural Bertrand, Nebraska) passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. E.L. was born July 6, 1923 on the family farm north of Bertrand in Phelps County, the youngest of five children born to Charles "Orville" and Ellen E. (Freburg) Samuelson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Westmark Evangelical Free Church, north of Loomis. E.L. received his education from the Sunny Hill District #37 school, north of Bertrand.

Following his education, E.L. was employed by area farmers. On March 12, 1944 he was united in marriage to LaVon Emma "Bonnie" Johnson and to this union five children were born: Avis, Lyle, Gary, Kent and Gail. The family made their home on the family farm northeast of Bertrand in Phelps County, where he engaged in custom haying and insulage, and worked in land leveling for Peterson Land Leveling. He also enjoyed raising Angus Cows. The couple retired from farming in 2000 and later in years made their home at Chrisoma West – Assisted Living.

Through the years, the couple attended the Westmark Evangelical Free Church and the Moses Hill Evangelical Covenant Church. E.L. and Bonnie enjoyed their time dancing and playing cards with their family and friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandchildren: Chad Samuelson and Angela Evans; three brothers: Wymore Samuelson at 10 years of age, Nylise Samuelson and his wife, Frances, and Dellman Samuelson and his wife, Dorothy; one sister, Zeadelle Matson and her husband, Thor; brothers-in-law: Darell Smith, Kermit Johnson, and Delwin Johnson and his wife, Grace; sisters-in-law: Norma Ryden and her husband, Wesley and Sadie Kimberling.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Bonnie of Holdrege; five children: Avis Nelson and her husband, Marvin of Loomis, Lyle Samuelson and his wife, Marsha of Bertrand, Gary Samuelson of Atlanta, Nebraska, Kent Samuelson and his wife, Diane of Loomis and Gail Johnson and her husband, Steven of Wilcox, Nebraska; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Betty Jacobson and her husband, Warren of Holdrege, Merna Smith of Bertrand, and Elaine Johnson of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.