Samuel "Sam" Thomas Mc Gaffee

Hills, MN

     Samuel “Sam” T. Mc Gaffee age 68 of Hills, MN died Thursday, January 5, 2023, at his home in Hills, MN, following a courageous battle with cancer.

     A memorial service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, January 9^th at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN, with Rev. Juanita Parker officiating.

     A visitation will be Sunday, January 8^th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, with the family present at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills.

     Inurnment will take place at Eastside Cemetery prior to the memorial service.

     Samuel Thomas Mc Gaffee was born December 2, 1954, at Pierre, South Dakota, the son of Samuel John Mc Gaffee and Dorothy Louise (Rathbun) Westhauser. He was raised in the Sioux Falls area and graduated from Washington High School in 1972.

     After his education he entered the U.S. Army on September 4, 1973, and was honorably discharged on September 3, 1976, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He returned home and began working at Heartland Paper Company as a truck driver. While visiting the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, MN he met the love of his life, Glenda Wassenaar. They were married on December 4, 1982, at The Reformed Church of Steen, MN. They were blessed with two daughters, Katie and Samantha. He lived in Hills, MN for 40 years and later began working at Smithfield Packing Plant in Sioux Falls.

     Sam was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, serving as head usher for many years. He enjoyed word search, attending car racing in Rock Rapids, IA, Jackson, MN and Huset’s in Brandon, SD. He was a big Dale Earnhart Sr. fan. Most of all Sam cherished his daughters and granddaughter, Henley.  He was especially fond of his dog “Charlie”.  He enjoyed his weekly coffee with his buddies in his retirement. Sam also enjoyed sitting outside on the porch visiting with friends who stopped by.

     In September of 2019 Sam was diagnosed with prostate stage 4 cancer. He courageously battled until this pas Thursday, January 5, 2023, when he died at his residence in Hills, MN at the age of 68.

     He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Glenda Mc Gaffee of Hills, MN; two daughters, Katie (Dustin) Hanson of Sioux Falls, SD and Samantha Mc Gaffee of Hills, MN; a granddaughter, Henley Hanson; three brothers, Ken (Betty) Garcia of Canton, SD, Martin Strampher of Burwell, NE and Mike (Carol) Mc Gaffee of Sioux Falls, SD; a brother-in-law, Marv Wassenaar of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     He was preceded in death by his parents Samuel J. Mc Gaffee and Dorothy L. Westhauser; parents-in-law, George and Henrietta Wassenaar; two brothers, Marvin Strampher and Pat Mc Gaffee; a sister, Robin Shea; and brother-in-law, Robert Wassenaar.  

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