Dorothy Samuelson

Dorothy Vanita (Parker) Samuelson was born to Oscar and Ferol Parker in Ames, IA on January 24, 1926. She grew up on the East side of Des Moines, graduating from East High School in 1944. She went on to attend the University of Iowa for 2 years. After her time at the university, she returned home and began working at the VA as a medical secretary. On June 18, 1950, she married Darwin Samuelson at First Lutheran Church in Des Moines, IA. They started a family with Kathy Denise (her pride) born in 1953 followed by Kristine Louise (her joy) born in 1956. Dorothy was a busy mother as a PTA president, Sunday school teacher, member of various women’s groups, and a proud member of the Daughters’ of the American Revolution and League of Women Voters. As the girls grew up she returned to work as a veterans benefit counselor at the Veterans’ Administration. She and Darwin loved to travel the world and enjoyed various international cruises and were grateful to pursue this dream early in life together. Upon retirement, they moved to Holiday Lake in Brooklyn, IA until Darwin passed away in 1988. Dorothy them returned back to West Des Moines. When her daughters began having children, she moved to Pella, IA to enjoy being an involved grandmother with going to academic and athletic events. Dorothy found pride in becoming a great grandmother and most recently a great great grandmother. Her family was undoubtedly her greatest joy. She was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Pella and enjoyed watching church online over the past few years when she was no longer able to attend in person. She rejoiced in her faith, family, and friends, and everyone who knew her, knew this. Dorothy lived a full and blessed life and will be missed and celebrated by the many lives she touched. 

Those left to cherish her memory. . .

Daughter Kris Van Wyk

Grandchildren and great grandchildren:

Jeremy and Jess Samuelson

   Harper, Jackson

Michelle and Ron Van Vark

   Sidnie, Tori, Rylie, McKenlie

Gina Villalobos

   Caleb and Skylar, Lily, Kylie

Jenny Vitullo

   Hope, Elayna, Lennon

Sara and Eric Lenox

    Emma, Cael, Kyler, Carter

Andrew and Melissa Van Wyk

     Mycah

             Brecken

    Judah, Max, Gideon, Audrey

Adam and Heather Van Wyk

     Grace, Olivia, Ezra, Lucy

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Darwin Samuelson, parents Oscar and Ferol Parker, parents-in-law John and Edith Samuelson, daughter Kathy and Danny Vitullo,  son-in-law Ed Van Wyk, brothers Donald and Maxine Parker, Robert and Marianne Parker, brother-in-law Rudy and Doris Starcevich, great grandchildren: Luke and Lydia Vitullo, Riah Jo and Shiloh Van Wyk.

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