Powder River Examiner -

Carl Edward Samuelson III, age 70 of Broadus, Montana passed away on November 21, 2019 at the Hospice House in Rapid City, South Dakota, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Carl was the first child of Voyle and Virginia (Shannon) Samuelson, born on November 4, 1949 in Deadwood, South Dakota. They lived on Cherry Creek in Little Ireland (SD) until 1959. Voyle and Virginia bought a ranch on Pumpkin Creek in southeast Montana and moved there with the family. Carl and his siblings, Sherry, Sid, Norman and Don grew up on the ranch.

Carl attended high school in Broadus where he met Melanie Hagman in 1967. After high school, Carl attended college in Laramie Wyoming for auto mechanics. On August 11, 1969 he and Melanie married. They made their home on the Samuelson ranch and raised four children; Amy, Holly, Carrie and John.

Throughout their 50-year marriage, they were a team that met the good times and the bad times hand in hand. Family was most important to them and they had more fun together than most people have in a lifetime. For his children he was their hero, their anchor, their rock and a constant source of unconditional love. They knew he would always be there for support and to listen. His grandkids adored him and treasure the time spent with him. Carl had a special gift with kids. He was happiest when there was a yard full of kids, be it his nieces, nephews, grandkids or neighbors and friends.

Carl had a great love of the land and nature itself. The ranch that he moved to when he was 10 was where he spent his entire life. He spent many happy years with his kids teaching them by example how to value, love and respect the land. He, with the help of his best friend Bub, created a little piece of paradise, Pineville. A camp, where he and his friends and family could...just be.

Carl loved hunting. It meant many things to him: comradery with his hunting buddies with secrets left untold; to witness his kids and grandkids experience the true joy of hunting; making new friends to last a lifetime through guiding. His trips to the Gravellys and Alaska were especially meaningful.

Carl was actively involved in youth shooting sports and proud to be a hunter safety educator for over 30 years. Carl was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. He served on the church council and the school board. Carl contracted with the Forest Service as a firefighter for many years. He was part of the crew that fought the fire in Yellowstone National Park in 1988. Carl had his pickup with a water tank filled in the summers ready to put out fires on the ranch or any neighbor who needed help. Carl was endless in his helping neighbors. Branding season meant great company and having the reputation of being the best with a knife.

His family would like everyone to remember his kind and generous spirit, his strong will and his unending commitment to the people he cared about. His passing leaves a hole in our hearts and in our community.

Carl is survived by his mother, Virginia; his loving wife of 50 years, Melanie; his children, Amy (Russ), Holly (Bret), Carrie, and John; his brothers Sid (Gaye), Norman (Julie), Don (Pat); brother-in-law, Dick Gaskill; grandkids, Neddie (Kyle), Kali (Grant), Shawn, Maddy, Jack, Alec, Lexi, Natalie, Sam, Jake, Ali, and Rhett; great grandkids, Morgan, Emory, Gary, and Marilyn; many loved nieces and nephews; and close friend, Bub Morgan.

Carl was preceded in death by his father, Voyle; beloved sister Sherry; and his grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Broadus Relay for Life or Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 from 1-6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting http://www.stevensonandsons.com.