Maynard Samuelson, 76, of Brookings, died Wednesday, May 30, 2018, surrounded by his family at his home following an illness. 

 Funeral services are at 11 a.m.  Monday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings  Burial is at the service at Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings.  Luncheon will follow at the Eidsness Funeral Home. Visitation is  from 5 to  7 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings Sunday.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Maynard Lowell Samuelson was born on Feb. 8, 1942, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Arne and Hildegaard (Peterson) Samuelson. He joined his sister Virginia two years older. His mother died when Maynard was 3 weeks old. His aunt and grandmother were involved with his life especially during those early years.  In 1949, his father married Elvira Carlson. Her children, Janice, Kenneth, and Eileen increased the family to seven.  Maynard graduated from Newfolden High School (Marshall County Central) in 1960, and later went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in 1964 and master’s degree in 1965 from the University of North Dakota. He worked on his doctorate degree at Southern Illinois University and Northern Colorado University.  In 1966, he met his future wife, Nancy Lehmann, and the two were married on Oct. 7, 1967, in Carbondale, Ill.  To their marriage two children were born and one was adopted: Kristi, Lowell, and Laura.

Maynard attended ROTC at the University of North Dakota, and was deployed to Vietnam from December 1968 to 1969 with the Military Intelligence Corps , United States Army and during this time he attained the rank of captain. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Medal. Maynard was discharged from the Army in 1970, and upon returning home was a college instructor at Valley City State College.

Maynard had a passion for teaching, which soon led him to South Dakota State University, where he taught in the Geography Department for most of his career.  He truly enjoyed making a difference in his students’ lives.

Maynard will be remembered as a very kind and gentle soul.  He enjoyed many activities in life, including reading, puzzles, travel, driving through the country, and visiting with friends at Carpy’s Pub.  He also treasured time spent with his family and grandchildren.

Maynard is survived by his wife, Nancy Samuelson of Brookings; children,  Kristi (Randy) Trabant, of Blane, Minnesota, Lowell (Kelly) Samuelson, of Roseville, Minnesota, and Laura (Derek) Culliton, of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; seven grandchildren;  three sisters: Virginia Vogt, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Janice (Merrill) Olson, of Isanti, Minnesota, and Eileen (Earl) Hoefer, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; and one brother, Kenneth (Kristi) Carlson, of Spokane, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: 

VFW Post 2118

520 North Main Avenue

Brookings, South Dakota 57006.