Samuel "Sam" Eslinger, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle, 95, Garrison, died on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison. Burial will be at the Garrison City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 to 6 at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison.

Sam was born November 18, 1922 in Garrison, ND to Emmanuel and Elizabeth (Schwartz) Eslinger. He was raised on his family's farm near Garrison where he also attended school. As a young man, Sam worked for the WPA and at the NYA Coal Mine.

Sam married Alma Mehlhoff on September 16, 1945 at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Coleharbor, ND. They farmed in the Coleharbor area until 1968 when the construction of the McClusky Canal began, which was to run right through their land. They decided to sell the land and move into Garrison. Upon moving into Garrison, Sam stayed busy working for the McLean County Soil Conservation District planting trees. He planted thousands of trees throughout McLean County and it was a job he thoroughly enjoyed for over 15 years. Sam was active at St. Paul Lutheran Church and in the community of Garrison, serving on both the church council and city council. He was also a member of the Elks Club for many years.

To say Sam was a character, is to put it lightly. He had a very quick wit and loved to tease people. He enjoyed visiting and was often seen riding his scooter around town, heading to the coffee shop. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Sam is survived by his daughter, Joyce (Michael) Briese, Eden Prairie, MN; granddaughters, Megan (Aaron) Soper and Kris (Jim) Sonneborn; 4 great grandchildren, Sophia and Sutter Samuel Soper, Blake and Mitchell Dakin; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Alma, his brothers, Ed, Ray, Alfred, John, Robert, Art, Dan, and Albert, sisters, Elsie Stumvoll, Anna Mattson, Emilia Lang, Ida Schock, Hulda Bauer, and Olga Henne, and a special friend, Doris Engene.