Lillie M Samlaska

Died: 02/26/13 (Mesa, AZ)

Lillie M (Lil) Samlaska, 90, of Mesa AZ, died at 3:36 pm at home on 2/26/13. Born October 29, 1922 in Marengo, IL her parents were Gustav and Lillie Hensel. Lil was the last surviving sibling of six. She had a paper route at an early age and worked hard her entire life. Lil was also an usher at the local movie theater during high school and upon graduation, she started working at a mouse trap and hole punch factory in Marengo. She married Dorn E (Sam) Samlaska on 11/12/42 (they were later divorced after more than forty years of marriage). Once "Sam" returned from the military, they started a partnership in the dry cleaning business--first in Marengo, IL and then later owned their own business in Attica, IN. Lil lived in Attica for approximately 30 years. Along with being a busy mother, Lil ran and kept the books for the dry cleaning plant (and other businesses "Sam" would be involved with), and enjoyed boating, camping, hiking, bowling, square dancing (at a national level), and traveling (visiting all 50 states along with "shooting the rapids" on the Colorado River at the young age of 65). Prior to settling in Mesa, AZ at Towerpoint, she lived briefly in Florida and Texas. Lil arrived at Towerpoint soon after the resort opened in 1977 and for the first 7 years worked cleaning trailers for a local trailer sales company. Upon her retirement in 1984, she took up various hobbies including tennis. Lil became Towerpoint's local tennis advocate and recruited many people to take up the sport. Her competitive nature was not limited to the tennis court but also with card and board games with family and friends. Lil was always doing for others with a ready smile and hug. She was a modest, humble servant and a great all around friend and mom. Lil had that special gift of living life to the fullest.

Lil is survived by her three children: Mike Samlaska (wife Sandy) of Naples, FL, Larry Samlaska (wife Paige) of Covington, IN, and Vicki Wimbush (husband Kingsley) of Colorado Springs, CO and 2 grandchildren: Michelle Samlaska (husband Duane Ford) of Little Elm, TX and Michael Littlefield of Colorado Springs.

A celebration of Lil's life will be held at Towerpoint Resort, Mesa AZ in the ballroom on 3/16/13 from 1-3 pm. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to: Sunshine Acres 3402 N Higley Rd Mesa, AZ 85215.