Funeral services are at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Writing Rock Lutheran Church in Alkabo, N.D., with the Rev. Ron Dahle officiating. Burial will follow at Writing Rock Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation is from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, at the Stakston-Martin Funeral Home in Crosby and also one hour before the service at the church.
Sam was born June 18, 1915, in Pennock, Minn., to Louie and Malena (Bloom) Bloom. Shortly after birth, the family moved to Daneville Township in Divide County, where he attended school completing his education at Alkabo High School in 1934. Following graduation Sam worked on the family farm.
He married Thora Slaaen on Oct. 24, 1936. In 1939, Sam and Thora established Sam’s Store in Alkabo while Sam continued to farm. They had two sons and one daughter: Donald (Karen) of Tuscan, Arizona, Roger (Diana) of Grenora, and Marjorie (Keith) Anderson of Valley City. Sam served four terms in the North Dakota Legislature starting in 1959, the Alkabo and Divide County school boards for a majority of his adult life, and on the Northwest Human Resource Center Board.
He was an advocate for vocational education and active at the Williston State College. He was involved in Kiwanis, Sons of Norway, Senior Citizens, Toastmaster’s, For Men Only, Bible Study, Community Theatre, and Northwest Chorus.
Sam loved to sing and play his violin and was involved with various quartets and bands. Tuesdays were a favorite, as he joined his friends playing in a band for the residents at the Good Samaritan Center.
He was a confirmed and active member of Writing Rock Lutheran Church of rural Alkabo where he served on the church board as a deacon and trustee and delegate to many conventions.
Sam and Thora moved to their current home in Crosby in 1981 and enjoyed many years there surrounded by family and friends.
Sam is survived by his wife, Thora; two sons, Donald (Karen), Tuscan, Ariz., and Roger (Diana) Grenora; daughter, Marjorie (Keith), Valley City; eight grandchildren, Greg (Della) Columbus, Wisconsin, Scott (Dee) Cory, Pennsylvania, Brian (Danita) Williston, Kristine (Steve), Williston, Kyla (Matthew), Grafton, Lacey, Lawrence, Kan., and Shelby, Valley City; along with nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Tom; sister, Hannah and nieces and nephews.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Cora and Myrtle.
Stakston-Martin Funeral Home of Crosby is in charge of arrangements.
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