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Leila May “Lee” Renfrow Samuelson

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Birth	:	21 May 1925 Oneida, Delaware County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	29 Jun 2019 Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.7708000, -91.8766000
Description	:	LEILA MAY RENFROW SAMUELSON, 94 Leila May Renfrow Samuelson left this world on Saturday, June 29, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde Merlin Renfrow and Ruby Robison Renfrow, older brothers Dean and Leo, her twin brother Lyle, and on Oct. 9, 2012, by husband James N. Samuelson. Leila and her twin brother Lyle were born during the Great Depression on the family farm near Oneida, Iowa. She always referred to herself a farm girl, and shared dozens of stories about her happy childhood on the farm. She was a star center for her high... Read More	LEILA MAY RENFROW SAMUELSON, 94 Leila May Renfrow Samuelson left this world on Saturday, June 29, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde Merlin Renfrow and Ruby Robison Renfrow, older brothers Dean and Leo, her twin brother Lyle, and on Oct. 9, 2012, by husband James N. Samuelson. Leila and her twin brother Lyle were born during the Great Depression on the family farm near Oneida, Iowa. She always referred to herself a farm girl, and shared dozens of stories about her happy childhood on the farm. She was a star center for her high school basketball team when girls were allowed to play only half-court ball. Lee graduated from high school in 1942, then entered Upper Iowa University, earning her two-year teaching certificate in 1944. Meanwhile, Leila was courted by Jim Samuelson. They married on Sept. 23, 1944, just a month before Jim entered the U.S. Army during WWII. Following his discharge Jim returned home to Maynard, Iowa, where Leila was teaching. The couple moved to Readlyn, Iowa. Jim managed a lumberyard and Leila continued teaching. The couple had a daughter, Terri Lee, in September 1947. Sister Roxana Jo was born in April, 1950. The family relocated to Columbia Falls in 1956, and Jim entered the custom cabinet business with Leila’s brother Leo Renfrow. Leila was hired by School District 6. Her fellow teachers called her “Lee” and the name stuck. Lee and Jim’s lives in Columbia Falls centered on community, church and school events, as they followed their daughters’ many activities. Lee was renowned for her sewing and knitting skills, and she managed to juggle sewing and knitting for others while being a proud mom who enthusiastically supported her girls’ activities, all while teaching school full-time. Teaching was Lee’s passion. It was her lifetime thrill to be instrumental in young people’s learning and growth. She brought her considerable skills and talents to her classroom, working hard to provide rich learning experiences while engaging her students in exciting and unique art and crafts projects. Lee earned great admiration from students who remember her for her caring and kindness. As her girls grew up, Lee vowed to complete her four-year BA degree before her first daughter entered college. As usual, she accomplished what she set out to do, earning her BA from UM, Missoula in the summer of 1965. After 35 years of teaching, Lee retired in 1983. During their life together, Lee and Jim built four houses. As a retiree, Lee took painting and cake decorating classes. She made scores of dolls. She was an active member of the PEO for over 50 years. Jim and Lee enjoyed motorcycle touring and RV trips around the U.S., Canada and Mexico. They wintered in Yuma, Arizona, and worked summer jobs in Estes Park, Colorado; Arkansas; Ponderosa Ranch, Nevada; the Grand Canyon; and Silver City, New Mexico. In later years they summered in Montana. Lee was known for her creativity and talent, her can-do attitude, her energy and her boundless generosity. She looked for people to give to. Her sewing and knitting skills are legendary. She is one of the first people to own an automatic knitting machine in the Pacific Northwest. It’s impossible to calculate the number of people who have felt Lee’s love through the handmade gifts she gave them. Lee possessed the Renfrow wit, but thankfully, in a gentler form than that of her three brothers! Lee is survived by her daughters Terri Lee (Dev) Hill and Roxana Jo Hessman; granddaughter Erin (Kevin) Sahotsky; granddaughter Kristin (Mike) Campbell; great-grandsons Bryan and Cody Campbell; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews; and all who loved their Aunt Leila. Lee’s remains will rest with her mother in Maynard, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 12, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Lee Samuelson Art Fund. Checks payable to School District 6. Indicate SAMUELSON ART FUN. Mail to Finance Director, PO BOX 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Columbia Mortuary is caring for Leila’s family.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Leila May “Lee” Renfrow Samuelson's memorial?
Leila May “Lee” Renfrow Samuelson's memorial is located at: Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard, Fayette County, USA.
When did Leila May “Lee” Renfrow Samuelson death?
Leila May “Lee” Renfrow Samuelson death on 29 Jun 2019 in Columbia Falls, Flathead County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Leila May “Lee” Renfrow Samuelson's memorial?
Latitude: 42.7708000
Longitude: -91.8766000

Family Members:

Parent

Clyde Merlin Renfrow

(1894 - 1971)

Ruby Ruth Robison Renfrow

(1897 - 1990)

Spouse

James Nicolas “Jim” Samuelson

(1924 - 2012)

Siblings

Leo Edgar Renfrow

(1922 - 2015)

Lyle Merlin Renfrow

(1925 - 2012)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Long Grove Cemetery
Maynard, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7708000, -91.8766000

2. Center Grove Cemetery
Randalia, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8185997, -91.8756027

3. Hope Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8027992, -91.9610977

4. Calvary Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7663994, -91.9860992

5. Grandview Cemetery
Fayette, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8301697, -91.8020172

6. Saint Francis Cemetery
Fayette, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8511009, -91.8261032

7. Garden Prairie Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7310982, -91.7647018

8. Saint Peter Lutheran Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7863998, -92.0028000

9. Woodlawn Cemetery
Oelwein, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6805992, -91.9356003

10. Union United Methodist Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8185100, -91.9992100

11. Oakdale Cemetery
Oelwein, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6732000, -91.9164500

12. Old Catholic Cemetery
Oelwein, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6728000, -91.9169000

13. Dunham Grove Cemetery
Randalia, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8767014, -91.8458023

14. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Fayette, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8768997, -91.8094025

15. Green Wood Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7768000, -92.0423000

16. Otsego Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6467018, -91.8778000

17. Prairie View Cemetery
Fayette, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8993580, -91.8330000

18. Oran Township Cemetery
Oran, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6571999, -91.9721985

19. Kint Cemetery
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6357994, -91.8799973

20. Stanley Cemetery
Stanley, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6371994, -91.8146973

21. Lima Cemetery
Lima, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8689000, -91.7373000

22. Floral Hills Memorial Gardens
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6293983, -91.9103012

23. Arlington Cemetery
Arlington, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7380981, -91.6856003

24. South Windsor Cemetery
Donnan, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9211006, -91.8747025