Pastor Walberg Obituary

Pastor Sam served Loomis 1944-1947

Samuel Elwin Walberg, or Pastor Sam, as his friends knew him, entered Heaven peacefully at Brunswick Village in Grass Valley on February 10, 2012 at the age of 96.
There will be a Memorial Service at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2012 at Crossroads Church, Wolf Rd. and Hwy. 49, Grass Valley.
Sam was born on September 25, 1915 to Nels and Hannah Walberg in Seattle, Washington. At 12 years of age Sam made a decision to follow Jesus. In September 1937 he enrolled in the Seminary & Bible School of the Evangelical Free Church in Chicago, Illinois. In his fi rst year, Sam helped form a Male Gospel Quartet which sang throughout the Chicago area. His first pastorate was in Fairmont, Minnesota in 1940.
In December 1937, Sam met the love of his life, Evelyn Margaret Johnson. They were happily married May 9, 1942 until her passing in 2005.
From 1953 through 1958 Sam taught Evangelism at Trinity Seminary and Bible College. Sam served eight churches in the mid-west until 1964 when he moved his family to California where he served as Chaplain of the “Beach Ministry” in Hermosa Beach for his brother's church.
In 1967 Sam was called to San Rafael to pastor, where he loved and nurtured the small congregation. His “Dial-for-Life” phone message ministry reached many people for Christ.
Sam retired in 1978 with his “bride” in Yorba Linda near his son. He worked as a maintenance carpenter for the Placentia Unified School District until he moved to Lake of the Pines in 1982.
In 1986 Sam served his last pastorate as Associate Pastor of Combie Bible Church. He found great joy teaching the adult Sunday school class until his retirement in 1993. On April 15, 1997 he received a Bachelor of Theology degree from “The International Seminary” of Plymouth, Florida.
Sam continued to counsel and be-friend many, until the end of his life. He unselfishly gave of himself to anyone who needed encouragement. In his last home, Brunswick Village, he taught a Bible Study and shared his faith until he could no longer recall what he had studied to share.
Sam was a gentle, loving husband and father, dedicated friend, and a great example of a servant. He will be missed. Sam is survived by his son, Dan Walberg; daughter, Donna Rosenburger; grandchildren, Shannon Snow, Amber Lukas, April Lukenbill, Sandra Walberg, and Ben Walberg; great-grandchildren, Austin Fitzgerald, Axel Lukas, Autumn Lukas, and Hunter Lukenbill.
Sam's family would like to especially thank the dedicated staff at Brunswick Village for the wonderful care given to ALL their residents and especially our “Grandpa Sam”. Memorial gifts may be sent to Brunswick Village, 316 Olympia Park Circle, Grass Valley, CA 95945.