Jean Samuelson

Long time Lakewood resident, Jean Samuelson, passed away October 16 at Brookdale in Green Mountain. She was 98 years old. Jean was born to Halford and Aura Draper in Broadwater, Nebraska where she was raised on a farm with her brother Lee and sister Margery. She later moved to Denver, lived in a boarding house and enrolled in secretarial classes. Jean met and married Don Percival. He was killed in the Pacific in 1945 before their daughter Kathy was born. While living in Denver she met Loren Samuelson through friends and they married in 1950. Loren (Sam) built their Lakewood home. There they raised Kathy and their two sons, Kent and Kurt. Jean loved her home and life and was a wonderful mother and homemaker. She enjoyed years of playing tennis at Morse Park, walking in her neighborhood and around Crown Hill lake, and family ski trips in the early years. She loved dancing, needlepoint, crafts with neighbors, gardening and yard work, school volunteering, working in a small women’s dress shop, playing the piano, travel, and cooking family meals, especially for holidays. Jean is survived by her daughter, Kathy Hoerlein (Scott Cragle) of Buena Vista, Colorado; her sons, Kent Samuelson (Marian) of Reno, Nevada; and Kurt Samuelson of Bridger, Montana; four grandchildren, Karen, Sara, Eric, and Andy; five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and loyal friends. Jean was a beautiful, kind and loving person. All will deeply miss her and her infectious smile and sweet spirit. Her long life was well-lived. At a later date, interment will be at Ft. Logan National Cemetery to be with her husband, Sam, and a celebration of her life. Contributions in her memory may be made to your favorite charity or organization.