ElVerna Doris "Sam" Carr-Teel

Goodland, KS resident and former Perham, Minnesota resident, ElVerna Doris “Sam” Carr-Teel, 81, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado.

Sam was born on October 18, 1942 in Perham, MN to Herman and Edna (Steeke) Wanderi. She was one of 3 children. Sam attended school in New York Mills, MN, and graduated from New York Mills High School in 1960.

Sam had a love for life. She enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When her children and grandchildren were younger, she was known as mom and grammy to all family and friends. She would sit on her patio and watch the birds for hours.

While she had a gypsy soul, her home has always been the Colorado Mountains. She had a passion for gardening and baking. She was always sharing her baking with loved ones and the community. During her many different stations with her first husband, she would always bake for the other servicemen.

She had a passion for the Lord and always shared it with her loved ones and community. She was often heard saying “God has a reason.” when encouraging her loved ones through tough times. Sam and her husband, Jerry would often be found reading scripture and praying together in the evenings.

On September 12, 2009, Sam married Jerry Glenn Teel in Colorado Springs. In 2022, they moved to Goodland to be closer to family. While living in Goodland, they were members of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her first husband Robert Carr.

She is survived by her husband Jerry Teel of the home in Goodland, children Simone Kern of Colorado Springs, CO, David (Theresa) Carr of Rogers, MN, Tara (Andrew Rippe) Carr of Colorado Springs, CO, Irene (Bart) Blackwelder of Hennessey, OK and Tiffany (Craig) Bernhardt of Sterling, Colorado. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren; as well as 2 brothers; Richard (Sue) Wanderi and Gary Wanderi all of Perham, MN.

The Celebration of Life will be Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 2:00 PM MT at the picnic ramada in Chambers Park. Those in attendance will need to bring a lawn chair, and the family asks everyone to bring a snack to share.

A family celebration of life for Sam will be held at a later date at Sam and Jerry’s property in the mountains in Park County, Colorado.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Northwest Kansas Ambulance Service and may be dropped off or sent to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735, or to the St. John’s Lutheran School, 500 W. 6th Ave SW, Perham, MN 56573.