Stephen Lee Samuelson, 62

Stephen Lee Samuelson, 62, of Boise, Idaho, passed away on Nov. 10, 2010, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise following a lifelong battle with diabetes, heart and kidney disease.  Above all, Stephen was a tenacious survivor who refused to let illness get him down.

He was born June 3, 1948, to Don and Ruby Samuelson in Sandpoint. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1966 and earned a degree in nursing from Boise State University in 1972. 

Stephen worked in nursing for more than 15 years, enjoying a lengthy stretch with St Luke’s in Boise where he headed the recovery room in addition to other duties. A career change brought him to Hewlett Packard in the early 1990s. He loved working with electronics and regretted the fact that his health required his early retirement in 1996.

Stephen married his life partner, Karen Louaine Lee, on Nov. 24, 1971. Together they raised two wonderful young men, Michael and Rick, and enjoyed a full marriage.

Stephen could start an instant friendship with anyone and his sense of humor knew no bounds.

Steph-en was preceded in death by his parents, former governor Don and Ruby Samuelson; as well as his pets, Scotty, Rocky, Vito and Flip. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Karen Samuelson; two sons and their wives, Michael and Sammy Samuelson of Caldwell, Idaho, and Rick and Heidi Samuelson of Hillsboro, Ore.; two grandchildren, Hannah and Evan; his sister, Donna Foth of Sandpoint, Idaho; a large extended family; more friends than one could count; and his beloved dog Meg.

Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, in Stephen’s name. As a diabetic since age 5, he longed for a cure to this ravaging disease.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, at Red Rock Christian Church, 1124 S. Roosevelt, Boise, Idaho.