Maynard Samuelson, 76, of Brookings, passed away on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, surrounded by his family at his home following an illness.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 4, 2018, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, beginning at 11 a.m.  Burial will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings.  Luncheon will follow at the Eidsness funeral home. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings the evening prior, Sunday, June 3, 2018.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Maynard Lowell Samuelson was born on February 8, 1942, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Arne and Hildegaard (Peterson) Samuelson. He joined his sister Virginia two years older. His mother passed away when Maynard was three 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 Bachelors Degree 1964 and Masters Degree 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 October 7, 1967 in Carbondale, Illinois.  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 student's 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, South Dakota; children: Kristi (Randy) Trabant, of Blaine, Minnesota, Lowell (Kelly) Samuelson, of Roseville, Minnesota, and Laura (Derek) Culliton, of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; seven grandchildren (Melanie, Brooke, Ryan, Parker, Noah, Henry, Oliver); 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.

Maynard is preceded in death by his parents, Arne and Elvira Samuelson and his birth mother, Hildegaard Samuelson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to:
VFW Post 2118
520 North Main Avenue
Brookings, South Dakota 57006.