Angie Samuelson, former Glenwood Post co-owner, dies at 82
When Angie Samuelson died at age 82 on Wednesday, the Glenwood Springs Post Independent lost a portion of its history.
During the 30-plus years she worked at the Glenwood Post, which merged with the Glenwood Independent two years ago, she did everything from working at the front desk as a receptionist to being a co-owner of the paper, then a weekly, with her husband John.
Samuelson died of Alzheimer’s disease, living out her last year at Heritage Park Care Center in Carbondale. But she left behind a heritage of her own that included hard work and community spirit that lives on through her family.
“She wanted to help anybody do anything,” Samuelson’s daughter, Chris Samuelson, said Thursday. “What we used to call her is a ball of fire.”
Another of Samuelson’s daughters, Lauraine Skolasinski, of Vail, said family meant everything to her mom.
“I think family was really important to her – family and church. She wanted a big family, and she got it,” Skolasinski said.
Angie’s connection to the paper came before she ever even met her longtime husband John, who lives in Glenwood Springs.
John’s dad, Jack Samuelson, moved to Glenwood Springs from Minnesota in 1936, right in the midst of the Depression. But he owned a print shop and was doing well, so he was able to purchase the Post.
When Jack retired, he turned the newspaper over to his sons, John and Jim. They ran the paper together for years. Both sons were married in 1947, bringing their wives in to help with the duties of running a paper.
Angie was one of those wives. She started at the paper that year, with the two brothers running it together until 1966.
It was that year when Angie and John bought out Jim Samuelson’s stake in the paper, running it together until they sold in 1970.
After the sale, Angie stayed on for another 12 years, answering phones and doing all the things it takes to get a small paper out.
“Many people would remember her at the front desk of the Glenwood Post, where she worked for years,” Chris Samuelson said.
She also volunteered her time at the Frontier Historical Society when she wasn’t skiing, playing golf or traveling with husband John.
“I think Mom was the heart and soul of our family,” Chris said.
An obituary appears on page A8.
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