Samuel Pitulla

Celebrate the Life of Sam Pitulla

Buhl native, Samuel John (Sammy) Pitulla, died in the final days of December, 2015. He was 86 years old.  (3-7-1929 to 12-24-2015)

Sammy grew up on the Range, mostly in Buhl/Kinney. In 1941, Sammy was named an All-State Football Guard during his junior year, while attending Buhl’s Martin Hughes High School.  He graduated from St. Cloud State University.

After college, Sammy went to work for NK Seeds. In the early 1950’s, NK moved him to Chicago as their national sales manager. In the early 1960’s, Sammy started his own Lawn and Garden, Manufacturer’s representative company, in Chicago, IL, selling to garden centers, hardware stores, grocery stores and home centers. Sammy was a pioneer in the industry, and he was one of the first people to put top soil in bags for sale at retail stores.

In the late 1950’s, Sammy met and married Joanne Pelton, from Chicago, IL.

They had three children, Joseph, John and Mary.

Sammy liked to spend time in Buhl.  Almost every year, he would drive the family up to the Range for a week at Christmas, and a week near the 4 ^th of July, to stay with his mother, Mary Pitulla.  Sammy enjoyed seeing his childhood friends and especially liked the high school reunions.

Sammy is survived by his sisters Tita Daugherity (Neenah, WI), and Pepa Arena (Hibbing, MN).  He was preceded in death by; his Father, Joseph; his Mother, Mary; his brother, Nutch; and his sister, Rosie.

Samm y’s three children invite ALL of Sam Pitulla’s friends and family to celebrate with us at Binster’s restaurant in Hibbing, on Saturday, June 18, 2016, from 11:00am to 1:30pm.  The party will include food and drink. Please join us and share your memories of Sammy.  Burial will follow immediately at the Buhl’s Lakeview Cemetery. Contact John Pitulla for additional information.   ( johnpitulla@aol.com )                   No gifts, please.

Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit us at www.doughertyofhibbing.com .