Samuel Steven Dahlquist

Samuel (Sam) Dahlquist died March 23, 2026. He was born on April 21, 1939 to Adolph and Jeanette Dahlquist in Sunberg, MN. Sam graduated from Kerkhoven High School and Gustavus Adolphus College. He briefly taught chemistry in Spring Grove, MN, where he met and married Anita Ekern in 1965. They subsequently moved to Brookings, SD so that Sam could attend pharmacy school at South Dakota State University.

Upon graduation, Sam accepted a job in Oregon with PayLess Drugs. In 1973, he and Anita relocated to Maine, where Sam worked for LaVerdiere’s Drug Store for over 30 years, ultimately becoming the Vice President of Pharmacy Operations for the company. During this time, they raised two children, who never wanted for fatherly affection. After leaving LaVerdiere’s, Sam spent five years as a pharmacist at the Togus VA Hospital in Augusta, ME.

Sam and Anita retired to Fort Collins, CO in 2004. For many years, they travelled extensively, and Sam also volunteered at the local hospital and mastered the art of stained glass. Some of his pieces are displayed in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, where he was an active member. In 2024, Sam and Anita moved to Stoneridge at Centerra, a senior living community in Loveland, CO.

Sam is survived by his wife Anita, daughter Ann, son Rafe, and nieces Becky Kelly and Amy Hansen. Memorials may be directed to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) to support research for Type 1 diabetes, which Sam was diagnosed with at age 26.