Mila Jean Samuelson

Mila Jean (Krusemark) Samuelson, 89, passed away on April 2, 2024, in her assisted living home in Keller, TX. Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft, NE. Inurnment will be in the Bancroft Cemetery in Bancroft, NE.  Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.  Local arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft, NE. 

Mila was born on April 13, 1934, to William Hans and Clara (Shopke) Krusemark in Pender, NE. She was baptized and confirmed at St Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender, NE. Mila graduated from Pender High School in 1951 and earned her teaching degree at Wayne State College. Mila enjoyed sharing her memories about teaching in a “one-room schoolhouse” in the country, educating all grades 1-9.

During her teaching years, Mila met the love of her life, Arnold “Arnie” Samuelson, from nearby Lyons, NE. Arnie had recently returned from his Army service in the Korean War, and they were introduced by mutual friends. They soon fell in love and were united in marriage on June 10, 1956, and settled on their farm in Bancroft, NE. Together they hosted the Nebraska State Cornpicking Contest in October 1964, a tribute to their beautiful farm they worked so hard to plant and harvest each year. They had three children, Mick, Linda, and Jill, and built their home in Bancroft in 1966 to raise their family. Mila worked with Arnie to support the community and area with dedicated service, always willing to help friends and family. Mila loved supporting her children throughout their activities and adventures. Arnie and Mila retired from farming in 1979, and after much travelling, settled in their Mesa, AZ retirement village of Monte Vista. Mila loved traveling with Arnie as he drove his magical tour bus for Arrow Stage Lines and Coach USA before full retirement. They also enjoyed the many visits of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren during their AZ years, teaching them ceramics, pickleball, swimming, and other activities. She moved back to Pender, NE in 2018 to live near friends and family after Arnie passed, then lived her remaining years in Keller, TX near daughter Linda before cancer took her earthly life. Mila was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother in her ever-growing family. Mila found her everlasting peace and grace with Arnie again to receive their Lord in Heaven and is awaiting the rest of her family and friends to join her in eternal life.

Survivors include brother, William John (Sharlene) Krusemark; daughters, Linda (Kurt) Bjorn, Jill (Guy) Teafatiller; grandchildren, Hunter (Jenna) Teafatiller, Kirsten (John) Ouimette, Katy (Cody) Bratton, Karl (Sarah) Bjorn, Marta Bjorn and Tim Walker; great-grandchildren, Cora and Astrid Ouimette, Marshall Bratton, Charlie and Colt Teafatiller, Elowyn and Rowan Bjorn, Sylvia Bjorn Walker, and many other wonderful relatives and friends.

Mila was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Arnold Samuelson; son, Mick Arnold Samuelson; parents, William Hans and Clara Krusemark; sisters, Wilma, Edna Mae, Mylet, Clarabelle; and brothers, Willis, Leroy, Edward.