Charlene Walker Samuelsen

Charlene passed away at home where she wanted to be after battling a very long illness from years of surgeries, breast cancer and pain. She was surrounded by her family and her loving husband Leo of 63 wonderful years. Charlene had a wonderful sense of humor even through her illness and pain she was still smiling and joking and making us laugh.

Charlene was the second of four daughters born to Hyrum Randell Walker and Alice Edna Robbins in Salt Lake City. Charlene met Leo A Samuelsen in a Sunday school class and they both attended South High School. They married August 9, 1958 and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 24, 1965. They raised 5 children who have learned from their parents the true meaning of unconditional love.

Charlene was well known for her many talents and creativity. She loved to crochet, and made over 100 Afghan (blankets), she gave to family and friends. She also loved to crochet blankets and other items to donate for humanitarian purposes.  She was amazing at decorating and was known for having the best and most creative parties around. Holidays at home were always memorable because of her. She loved Christmas and always went over the top. She made us promise that no matter what time of year it was, when her time came to return home to Heaven, that we would have Christmas trees at her funeral. People from everywhere would come to see her trees and villages she had set up and displayed in her home, for both Christmas and Halloween.

Charlene is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed serving in many callings in Relief Society and Primary. She loved People and had so much fun in all the callings she had. She had a strong testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and always set a great example of Christ like love. She loved people and had many special friends that she spent precious times with.

One of her greatest loves…besides her own children…were her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. They were the light of her life. Her face lit up when they came through the door. Charlene worked part-time for a couple companies over the years including a flower shop and KD craft. She then went on to work full-time at American Express, where she worked for over 20 years.

Charlene would like to thank Dr. Alisa Knowlton for the many years she provided excellent care as her primary care physician. As well as a special thank you to Dr. John R. MacFarlane Jr. for safely completing 6 of her major back surgeries. She loved joking about how she needed a “total back replacement.” Charlene enjoyed contributing to his funny sock collection as often as she could. Charlene told Leo she overheard Dr. MacFarlane tell a fellow surgeon that “this beautiful lady is so special; she is one of my favorite patients”. Thank you for keeping tabs on her, visiting her often, and always ensuring that the hospital staff knew she was not allowed to leave your floor without your permission. Charlene often expressed how kind you are, and how grateful she was for your wonderful care and friendship.

Charlene leaves behind her loving husband Leo, her children Sheri (Felix) Rebeterano, Brad Samuelsen, MaryAnn (Mike) Summerhays, Scott (Corie) Samuelsen. 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and soon to be one more. Her siblings DeAnn (Harold) Wolfgramm, Shauna Van Der Veur, Jane (John) Ayer. Proceeded in death by her parents and grandparents, son Todd Samuelsen, grandson Benjamin Seegmiller.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday January 26, 2022, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful Utah 84010 where a viewing will be held from 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m prior to services.   Interment- Bountiful City Cemetery

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

Condolences may be left in the “Guestbook” tab on this obituary page.