Joan Marie (Graff) Samson

 Joan Marie (Graff) Samson, 90, of Onawa, Iowa passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, August 15, 2022 at St. John Catholic Church, Onawa, Iowa with Father Michael Erpelding celebrant, officiating. A live stream of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Joan’s obituary. Burial will follow in the Onawa Cemetery, Onawa, Iowa. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:15 A.M. Monday, August 15, 2022 at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Joan was born December 3, 1931 in Granville, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence and Dorothy (Ney) Graff. She was the second oldest of four children. As a young child, Joan lived in Orange City, Iowa before moving to Onawa in 7th grade.

She attended Onawa High School and played on the girls 6x6 basketball team, which made it to state in 1949. Joan graduated from Onawa High School and attended a technical school in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she studied to be a lab technician and later worked in this role at the Onawa Hospital.

Joan Graff and Dr. William L. Samson were united in marriage December 29, 1951 at St. John Catholic Church in Onawa. They were blessed with nine children. Their 59 years of marriage was founded on laughter, faith, friendship and love.

Joan was an active member of St. John Catholic Church and enjoyed serving on the Rosary Society and singing in the choir. Joan also worked alongside her husband, Doc Samson, at his optometry office in Onawa. She would help their patients select the perfect color and shape of glasses for their face and personality.

Joan was very active in the community and was a member of the Onawa Women’s Club, Red Hat Society, attended bridge club weekly, and loved to listen to second graders read to her at West Monona Elementary School to encourage their confidence. Joan was an excellent cook and avid quilter – she made a special quilt for each of her nine children, something they will cherish forever. She also loved board games and competing against her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would never let you win…you had to earn it. Some of her favorite games were Silly Carnival, Poison Ivy, Aggravation, Scrabble, Pit and she loved a good crossword puzzle too.

Survivors include her children, Paula Samson of Onawa, Iowa, Laura Oliver of Onawa, Iowa, Michael (Karon) Samson of Houston, Texas, Annette Samson (John Jesmok) of Eagan, Minnesota, Patrick (Heather) Samson of Barnhart, Missouri, John Samson of Boise, Idaho, Maria (John) Sofranko of Oceanside, California, Rebecca (Arno) Perlow of St. Louis, Missouri, and Jennifer Samson (Eric Eskelsen) of Manchester, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren, who lovingly called her Gram Sam, Stephanie (James) Kardaras, Marcia (Darin) Young, Sarah Oliver (Nick Rosales), Emily (Daniel) Caropreso, Leah Thacker, Meghan (Eric) Walneuski, Malia (Chris) Gray, George (Katie) Samson, John Jesmok Jr., Ellen (Jonathan) Sampers, Nick (Amanda) Samson, Hannah Samson, Patrick Samson, Maddie Samson and Paul Pudil; fourteen great-grandchildren, Kaitlin and Robert Kardaras, Alaina, Gavin, Hailey and Zachary Young, Thomas and Allison Caropreso, Tyler and Ethan Thacker, Mikey Walneuski, Athen and Etta Sampers, and Elwood Samson; a brother, Steve (Bernie) Graff of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Steve Donovan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William L. Samson; parents, Clarence and Dorothy Graff; parents-in-law, Dr. Archie L. and Kathryn (McLaughlin) Samson; sister, Renee Donovan; brother, William Graff; brother-in-law, Richard Donovan; and grandson, Benjamin Pudil.

Joan’s quick wit, loving heart and sense of humor will be deeply missed by everyone.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. John Catholic Church or the Read to Succeed Program at West Monona Elementary School in her memory.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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