Ronald "Ronnie" Samuelson

Ron passed away in Mesa, AZ. on August 11, 2025. He was born on September 10, 1941 in St. Paul, MN. to Robert and Mildred (Jacobson) Van Cleave, and adopted at the age of three, along with his sister Annette, by Arthur and Myrtle Samuelson of Crookston, MN.

In Ron’s early childhood, he and his family moved to Moorhead, MN., where he was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, and then graduated from Moorhead High School in 1959. Ron was also a member of the Air National Guard from 1958-1961. During his military service he moved to California, where he worked in the major motion picture studios as a laborer putting up and breaking down sets, which he enjoyed. Ron shared many stories about the encounters he had with Hollywood movie stars and famous singers. Once, as Ron brought Frank Sinatra’s piano to the stage, Frank caught him playing “Heart and Soul,” to which he told Ron, “I hope it sounds that good by the time you get it there.”

In 1970, Ron moved back to Moorhead where he married Roxanne Lindstrom on April 3rd, 1971. Ron, Roxanne, and their daughter, Christina, lived in Moorhead before moving to Dilworth, MN. in 1978. He worked for Purolator Courier for several years until they quit servicing the Fargo, ND. area, at which time he went to work in the water department for the City of Dilworth. In 1995, he and Roxanne moved to her grandmother’s farm near Lake Park, MN., where Ron began working for the Eksjo Lutheran Church as their maintenance man until his health worsened. Ron spent the last 17 winters in Mesa, AZ. and enjoyed attending different jam sessions every day of the week and where he made many new friends that had the same interests.

Ron loved all types of music throughout his life. He knew every song from the 50’s and who sang it. Ron’s longtime friend, Bob Becker, had a radio show called “Polka Party,” which helped Ron develop a taste for polka music. Not many knew that Ron had a beautiful voice and he would sit in the back row of church singing praises to the Lord. Knowing all the old hymns, but not being a fan of contemporary songs, he would say they sang the same words over and over.

Ron will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Roxanne, daughter Christina (Eugene) Knutson, grandchildren Skyler (John) Oliveira, Levi (Katy Geiger) Brusacoram, Brittany (Kyle Jacobson) Brusacoram, Brookelynn (Thomas) Mynatt, Courtney (John Sanders) Jodoin, and Ryan Knutson, along with eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, Sharon Harms and Linda (Dennis Bahls) Danielson, and several nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his birth parents and adoptive parents, his siblings, Annette Vargas, Robert Skaiem, and infant Brother Ralph Van Cleave, along with several nieces, and great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Hospice, The Gideons International, or an organization of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held on what would have been Ron’s 84th birthday, September 10, 2025, at Eksjo Lutheran Church at 2:00 pm. We would like to thank you for sharing that day with us and invite you to join us for lunch following the service.