Sam Schimelfenig

Sam Schimelfenig, 78, Wahpeton, ND passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at St. Catherine's Living Center, Wahpeton, ND. Funeral services will be on Thursday, March 10, at 2 PM at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at a later date in Missouri. Arrangements are with Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Sam was born on December 28, 1932 on the family farm near Weatherby, MO to Louie and Helen (Heimbaugh) Schimelfenig. He grew up and graduated from school in the Weatherby area. Sam served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He then attended Northwest Missouri State College and received his Bachelor's Degree in Education. During college he was united in marriage to Helen Arelyn Warford. After college, Sam and Arelyn moved to Canon City, CO where Sam taught Industrial Arts and also coached football, wrestling, and baseball. While he was teaching he was also went back to school at Colorado State University and received his Master's Degree in Education. In 1968, he accepted the position as Dean of Technology at NDSCS and worked there until his retirement in 1989. After his retirement, Sam did part-time crop hail adjusting because he was always a farmer at heart.

Sam enjoyed the time he spent fishing at Big Sand Lake, he also hunted in his younger days and was an avid sports fan. Sam and Arelyn were also known to enjoy a "few" auction sales.

Sam is survived by his son, Jay (Karla) Schimelfenig, Wahpeton, ND; his granddaughter, Leslie Rumble, Wahpeton, ND; his great-granddaughter, Avah Rumble, Wahpeton; and his sister, Yvonne Shocky, Deepwater, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Arelyn on October 21, 2002, and his son, Jim Schimelfenig on June 20, 1999.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials to the NDSCS Alumni Foundation in memory of Sam.

Please feel free to visit our online guestbook at www.vertinmunson.com