Sam Edward Ardito Jr.
Sam Edward Ardito Jr., 58, of Walker, died Dec. 30 at the St. Joseph’s Health Care Center in Park Rapids.
Sam was born on July 14, 1947 in Minneapolis to Rita (Parker) and Sam Ardito Sr. He graduated from Columbia Heights High School in 1965. He went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps from Dec. 1, 1965 until Nov. 30, 1971, including active duty from 1965-1968. He returned from active duty to attend the University of Minnesota, majoring in American Indian Studies. On June 2, 1979, he was married to Marcella Tanner of Walker. He worked in both the Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts, and was dean at NAES College - Minneapolis Campus. He was currently employed by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Sam is particularly remembered for his love of family, history, yard projects, crossword puzzles, and his Mac com- puter.