Karen L. Samuelson

Karen Lee Samuelson (née Gerzina) passed away peacefully at House of Loreto on September 3, 2025 after a lengthy battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). She was born on May 1, 1942 in Canton, Ohio, to Joseph and Martha (née Reed) Gerzina. She graduated from Canton Lincoln High School in 1960 and Bowling Green State University in 1964. After college, Karen served as a business education teacher in the Canton South Local School District. In 1965, Karen married Jon Samuelson and eventually gave up teaching to dedicate her life to her family as a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. This July, Karen and Jon celebrated 60 years of marriage. Karen and Jon lived in Prescott Valley, Arizona for eight years before returning to Ohio in 2023.

Boating at Salt Fork, snow skiing, and golfing were hobbies she enjoyed. She had an unwavering commitment and unconditional love for her children, grandchildren, cousins, and many life-long friends. She always found joy in day-to-day living and often described her children and grandchildren as the “loves of her life.”

Karen considered herself a “professional volunteer.” She was a founding member of Tiny Tots Preschool in 1974 and a founding member of the Canton Lincoln High School Alumni Association (CLHSAA) in 1989. She served as president for the 2001-2002 term. She dedicated many years to capturing the activities of CLHSAA in the annual Echoes of Lincoln Newsletter as Editor and served on several committees as well. Karen was active in numerous fundraising activities for Canton Christmas as well as the Hoover Instrumental Music Association and the Hoover Vocal Music Association at Hoover High School, North Canton, Ohio. She was most proud of the volunteer work in the office and concession stand at the Palace Theater in Canton, Ohio devoting many hours to its operation.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother; Blanchard “Corky” Gerzina.

She is survived by husband; Jon, children; Jess Samuelson of Brewster, Ohio, Marta Samuelson-Bair (Ryan) of Canton, Ohio, her two grandchildren Stellen (13) and Gunnar (11), and her sister; Barbara Squires of Alpharetta, Georgia.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care and House of Loreto for the loving and compassionate care Karen received. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7707 Market Ave. N., North Canton, OH on Friday, September 19. Service will begin at 11:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon at the church thereafter. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made by completing the CLHSAA SCHOLARSHIP FUND DONATION FORM at the website https://cantonlincolnhighschool.org under the Scholarships tab and returning it with a check to CLHSAA, P.O. Box 20192, Canton, OH 44701.