Sam C. Poulos

Sam C. Poulos, 85, of Mason City, died Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at the Manly Care Center. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue with Rev. Joseph Mirowski, Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Full military rites will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday at Major Erickson Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimers Association. Sam was born June 2, 1923 in Mason City the son of Christ & Irene (Korkidis) Poulos. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1942. Sam enlisted in the US Army in June of 1943. He trained in Colorado and Washington DC with a special services group called the OSS, which today would be the CIA. Sam fought behind German lines in Greece from April to August in 1944, with a volunteer Greek/American Battalion to disrupt the German retreat. Sam earned the Bronze Star which was awarded to him in 1992. He married Mary Lou Larson October 12, 1947 in Fargo, North Dakota. Sam graduated from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa in 1950. He worked in a variety of sales positions in Insurance and Furniture. In 1979, he went to work for the Mason City School District as a bus driver and custodian. He retired in 1989. Sam enjoyed golfing, playing cards, gardening and barbecuing for his family. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in their sports and following the Vikings, Twins, and Hawkeyes.

Sam is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; son, Allen (Lori) Poulos of Hampton; daughter-in-law, Sally Emerson Brasch of Mason City; grandchildren, Spencer and Kinsey Poulos of Iowa City, Christopher Poulos and fiancee Jessica Benjegerdes of Mason City and Kimberly (Shawn) Opstvedt of Mason City; great grandchild, Emily; sister, Lula Poulos of Mason City; sister-in-law, Genevieve Poulos and brother-in-law, Louie Trigas; several nieces and nephews.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Son, Greg; brother, John; sister, Katherine Trigas and a niece, Eirini.