Samuel Justin Iverson, 72, of Grundy Center, Iowa, died Monday, March 3, 2014, of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Sam died at his home in Grundy Center while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center, Pastor Luther Thoresen officiating. Visitation will be Friday, March 7, 2014, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center. Memorials may be directed to a scholarship fund established in Sam's name or to Cedar Valley Hospice.
Sam was born in Decorah, Iowa, on February 28, 1942, the son of Justin and Ina Iverson. He graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1960. After graduation he attended Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education and biology. Sam received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, in Health Promotion/Fitness Management in 1991.
Sam married Carol Legreid on July 28, 1972, at American Lutheran Church in Grundy Center. Sam taught school in the Fridley Minnesota School System from 1964 until 1967. He then taught in the Grundy Center School System from 1967 to 1977 where he coached Junior High basketball. From 1995 to 2011 Sam coached High School girls and boys cross-country and took several teams to State championships. Sam went on to become a counselor for the Northeast Council on Substance Abuse until he opened a non-profit agency called Chemical Dependency Service Center where he worked until retirement.
Sam was a longtime member of American Lutheran Church, Grundy Center, where he served on the Church Council and was President during one of his terms of service. He served as Council Ring and was chairman of the Nebraska's Camp Farthest Out Bible Camp. Sam was a member of the Kiwanis and Town and Country Golf Course in Grundy Center. He also served on the local preschool board.
Faith, family, golfing, working with youth, and helping those afflicted with addiction brought great joy and purpose to Sam.
Sam is survived by his wife Carol of Grundy Center; daughter Sarah Guild and husband Jamie, of Prairie Village, Kansas; daughter Carla Lien and husband, Nate, of Leawood, Kansas; sister Mary Jo Wilke and husband Tom of Monona, Iowa; sister Diane Nordgaard and husband Jack of Red Wing, Minnesota; brother Tom Iverson and wife Jeanne of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother Steve Iverson and wife, Kathy, of Lake Mills, Iowa; sister-in-law Mary Jo Iverson, of Scottsdale, Arizona; grandchildren: Jonathan, Caleb and Eliana Guild, and Jacob and Joshua Lien. Sam was preceded in death by his parents and brother John.