Robert Richard 'Sam' Samler Sr.

Jan. 30, 1939-Aug. 15, 2011

CASA GRANDE, Arizona -- Robert R. "Sam" Samler Sr., 72, formerly of Randall, Minnesota died Aug. 15, 2011, in Casa Grande, Arizona.

He was born Jan. 30, 1939, in Yoncalla, Oregon, the son of the late Charles L. Carrier and Marcella Hardwick. At age two, he was adopted by Oscar Samler.

He grew up during the family's farming operations in Southwest Nebraska and graduated from Parks (Nebraska) High School. He then attended Waverly College in Waverly, Iowa graduating with an A.A. degree. He entered the U. S. Army in February 1960. He was stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge in November 1962.

On June 18, 1960, he married Donna Lee Rasmussen at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The couple had four children, Robert Jr., Robine, Jeff and Greg Samler. They lived in California from 1962-1974, the year Donna Lee passed away.

On Aug. 30, 1975, he married DeNae A. Sanders in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Minnesota. The couple moved to Randall, Minnesota in 1976 and had two children, Tonya and Matthew.

He was employed at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, as a Federal Civilian Technician for 23 years until retiring in 1999.

Survivors include his wife, DeNae; sons, Robert and wife, Kim Samler Jr., of Randall, Jeff and wife, Lynn Samler of Fort Ripley, Minnesota, Matthew and wife, Nicole Samler of Kodak, Tennessee and son Greg Samler of Sartell, Minnesota; daughters, Robine Mayer of Little Falls, Minnesota, and Tonya and husband, Kelly Maciej of Elmdale, Minnesota; a brother, David Samler of Benkelman, Nebraska; a sister, Beth Sherlock of Florida; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren;

Funeral services were Friday at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Randall, Minnesota with the Rev. Harley Johnson officiating. Burial was in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. The Randall VFW Post No. 9073 performed the military rites.