Samuel William Cartwright
May 1, 1937 – October 5, 2025
Samuel William Cartwright passed away on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at The Willows Assisted Living in Iola, Wisconsin, where he has resided for the past seven years.
Sam was born May 1, 1937, to Edwin and Bernice (Tarr) Cartwright. He was the youngest of seven siblings.
Sam attended Waupaca, Wisconsin, schools before the family moved to the Weyauwega, Wisconsin, area where he finished school. There he met Marjorie Vaughan in 1957. They married in 1958. They had two children, Beth (Larry) Somers and Todd W. Cartwright. He worked at Earl Litho in Menasha, Wisconsin. They later divorced.
Sam met Ms. Betty Derks in Waupaca in late 1968. She had two boys, Michael and Jay. Sam and Betty married in October of 1969, and over the next few years came Paige, Pleasance, and Patience. Sam was working at Bensons for 30-plus years.
Sam wasn’t just a Dad; he was a good friend to many, a woodworker, a mechanic, a carpenter, a husband, an uncle, a grandpa, and a great-grandpa.
He will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him. Sam is survived by his son, Todd Cartwright; daughter, Beth (Larry) Somers; two stepsons, Michael (Patty) Derks, Jay (Linda Ladwig) Derks; Paige Lucas; Pleasance (Aron) Robbert; Patience (Matthew Breitenstein) Dunn; sister-in-law, Donna (Thiel) Cartwright.
Sam is further survived by six grandchildren: Nina (Justin) Cartwright, Krystle (Benjamin) Flanscha, Ashley Bauer, Savannah, Mathilda, Georgia, and Thomas Robbart; two great-grandsons, Anthony and Austin LeCloux; and an abundance of nieces and nephews.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Gerald (Elaine) Cartwright, Clarence (Betty) Cartwright, Anita (Lloyd) Paris, Melvin Cartwright, Les (Mabel) Cartwright, MaryLou (Roger) Flader.
Those who knew Sam will always remember his kind heart, his hardworking spirit, and his trademark love for plaid.
A Memorial Service for Sam will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Ogdensburg, Wisconsin, with the Rev. Mary Bope officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30-11 a.m.