Ellen Corallee Samuelson, 91, entered her heavenly home on Sunday, April 19, 2015. Corallee, as she was known to her friends and family, was born on February 15, 1924 to Clifford and Marie (Thorson) Preston in Kent City, Michigan. After graduating from Sparta High School, she attended Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, and later Aquinas College. In her years of nurses' training during World War II, she was also a member of the Cadet Nurses Corps. After becoming a registered nurse in 1945, she trained students at Cadillac Mercy Hospital for several years before returning to Grand Rapids to work at Ferguson-Droste-Ferguson Hospital until retiring as Director of Surgery in 1989. In 1953, Corallee married Ingwar (Ding) Waldemar Samuelson and they spent many happy years together at their homes in East Grand Rapids and Pentwater, Michigan, pursuing their passions for cooking, entertaining and traveling until his death in 1987. After retirement, Corallee moved permanently to Pentwater and continued to be active in the Pentwater Yacht Club and was a member of the Pentwater Women's Club. She also enjoyed spending time at her daughter's home in Traverse City, as well as wintering in Palm Desert, California. Before her recent decline in health, Corallee still continued to enjoy reading, following current events, and keeping in touch with friends by phone. Corallee is survived by her daughter, Risë Rasch; sister-in-law, Helen Samuelson; nephews David (Jean) Samuelson and Tim (Barbara Koenen) Samuelson; her dear cousin Evangeline (Morsch) Muller's children, Fred (Kay) Muller and Sandra (Carey) Veeder; as well as many additional cousins and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ingwar Samuelson; and son-in-law Steven Rasch in 2000. Corallee will be greatly missed by her family and many, many friends. She is remembered for not only her great compassion and generosity, but also her wonderful sense of humor and signature style. She was a dear and loving mother to Risë and wonderful caretaker of their family's four dog-members over the years – Butch, Suzette, Amber and Sasha.
A Memorial Service for Mrs. Samuelson will be held Friday, May 15, 2015 at 11:00 am at Mamrelund Lutheran Church (her childhood church-home), 4085 Lutheran Church Rd., Kent City, Michigan 49330 with Rev. Sarah J. Samuelson officiating. Visitation will be held in the chapel, one hour prior to the service with a gathering immediately after the service in the church hall. Cremation has already taken place, with private interment at the Pentwater Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in acknowledgement of Corallee's many years of nursing service to Ferguson Hospital to the Spectrum Digestive Diseases Institute (DDI) and sent care of Spectrum Foundation, 100 Michigan NE, Mail Code MC4, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, or to the organization of one's choice. To send flowers or sympathy cards, please use the Expressions of Sympathy link to the left.