The family of Walter Samenfeld is sad to announce his passing on Friday, Oct. 6, 2000.

Walter was born (June 15, 1916) and raised in Los Angeles.

He returned to Los Angeles after marine service (1933-37) aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma in the Panama Canal, and met his sweetheart Eleanor. They were married for 56 years.

He was known for his work ethic and for carpeting some of the biggest jobs in the San Diego area, including the Broadway shopping center, The Stardust, and the May Co., among others.

His carpet business was very successful until his retirement in the early 1980s. He raised his family in Crestline, then moved to Oceanside.

In the late 1960s, he enjoyed coming to Idyllwild and riding horses. He continued visiting Idyllwild with his family in the 1970s.

Walter had residences in Oceanside and Idyllwild before moving to Idyllwild full-time in the early 1990s.

He missed his wife terribly since her death nearly 3 years ago. He was also consoled at Jan’s Red Kettle by daughter Emily or by driving his red Oldsmobile to the laundry with his dog Kish.

A memorial service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 53-830 Tollgate Rd., on Friday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m.

The Samenfelds are survived by daughter Emily and her husband Mike Pearson; daughter Waldene and her husband Dennis Lacey; and two other daughters. Walter had five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Tree Monument that Walter loved to gaze at.

Similar Posts

  • Obituary: Roy Mills 1930-2016

    Roy Mills, an Idyllwild resident for over four decades, died peacefully at his home on August 23, 2016. He was 86. His people came from the shtetels and Jewish ghettos of Eastern Europe. During the Russian Civil War and the accompanying ethnic cleansing, his parents immigrated to New York as teenagers, leaving their parents behind….

  • Life Tribute Marjorie Mae Kossler 1948-2019

    Marjorie Kossler lost her courageous four-and-a-half-year battle with ovarian cancer on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. Marjorie found her roots in the desert where she served the City of Palm Springs as administrative secretary for the Palm Springs Airport from 1984 to 2014. An avid traveler with a passion for adventure, Marjorie’s ventures took her not…

  • Obituary: Joseph Wassell

    Joseph Oliver Wassell, 66, of Idyllwild, died of a heart attack at Hemet Valley Medical Center on Tuesday, March 30, 2004. He was born May 7, 1937 in Santa Monica. Mr. Wassell was a self-employed landscape designer for 40 years in Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley. His wife said he was a proud Democrat….

  • Life Tribute: Julia Melinda Countryman

    1958-2022 Our dear Julia Countryman has passed from this experience Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. She was born May 5, 1958.  She was an amazing woman and a joy to have been our colleague and friend at Spirit Mountain Retreat. We are honored to preside over this Celebration of Life with her beautiful daughters Amy, Emily…

  • Obituary: Norma Hansen

    Former Hill resident Norma Hansen died June 11, 1999, in Portland, Ore., at the age of 83 following a stroke. Many will remember her fondly as “The Cake Lady,” creator of those delectable masterpieces she prepared for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions. She learned cakemaking at Mrs. Gates’ School of Decorating, cramming a six-month…