Elaine L. (Waehler) Sampson, 90, of Lomira, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2015, at Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lomira.
She was born on November 12, 1924, in Lomira, the daughter of the late Raymond and Jeanette (Coulter) Waehler. Elaine was a resident of Lomira area her entire life where she attended grade school and high school. She graduated from the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Milwaukee in 1947. Elaine worked as a clinic nurse at the Brownsville Medical Clinic and later as a unit nurse for Waupun Memorial Hospital, Rolling Meadows Nursing Home and Hope Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. While living in Milwaukee, she met Ivan Sampson. They wed on September 14, 1947, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lomira. Elaine was engaged in farming with her husband, managing the family farm in the Lomira area from 1947 until their retirement in 1976. Elaine raised ten children and was active in their school and community organizations. In later years, she enjoyed traveling around the US with her husband in their motor home. In retirement, she also became active as a Hospice volunteer helping many area residents in their homes. Elaine enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and in her spare time, she liked to do needlework, garden, read novels and write letters to her children. Like her husband, she was an active member at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lomira.
Those Elaine leaves behind to cherish her memory include her nine children, Christine (Michael) Brandt of Goodyear, Arizona, Gary (Virginia) Sampson of Campbellsport, Joan (John Burlowski) Sampson of Cold Springs, Kentucky, Robert (Jill) Sampson of Monroe, Phillip (Karen) Sampson of Lomira, Laurie (Peter Langenfeld) Sampson of Poway, California, John Sampson of Lomira, Stephen Sampson of Oshkosh and Joel (Maria) Sampson of Lanesboro, Minnesota; two brothers-in-law, Tillman Sampson of Ellicott City, Maryland and Don Sampson of Mason City, Iowa, many grand-children, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents Elaine was recently preceded in death by her loving husband, Ivan, to whom she had been married for 67 years; a beloved son, Carlton Sampson; a brother, Carlton Waehler, who had died as a training pilot in WWII and for whom the Bintzler-Waehler post is named. Also preceeding her in death are three sisters-in-law, Alma Campbell, Starlene Field and Betty Behr and four brothers-in-law, Sigwald Sampson, Peter Sampson, Lloyd Sampson and Norman Sampson.
A memorial service for Elaine will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lomira. Burial of both Ivan and Elaine's cremains will follow in the church cemetery.
The Sampson family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday, June 6 th , 2015, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lomira from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the St. John's Lutheran Church, the WELS Apache Mission and Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center are appreciated.
The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Hope Nursing Home in Lomira and Agnesian Hospice for their excellent care of Elaine.