Ivan Rudolph Sampson, 99, of Lomira, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 16, 2015, at Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lomira.
He was born on November 16, 1915 in Buffalo Center, Iowa, the son of the late Sam and Bertha (Brita Engedal) Sampson. Ivan attended school until the 8th grade, and continued to love to learn his entire life. At 14, he and his older siblings helped support their younger siblings after the early and unexpected deaths of their parents. Along with four of his brothers, he joined the military in WWII and served as a Tank Commander at the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Ivan worked at Briggs and Stratton in Milwaukee. It was in Milwaukee where he met Elaine Waehler of Lomira. They wed on September 14, 1947 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lomira. He was engaged in farming in the Lomira area from 1947 until his retirement in 1976. Ivan enjoyed traveling around the US in their motor home. He also enjoyed small motor repairs, caring for his lawn, reading and watching certain sporting events. Ivan was an active member at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lomira.
Those Ivan leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 67 years, Elaine, 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 Langenfeldt) Sampson of Poway, California, John Sampson of Lomira, Stephen Sampson of Oshkosh and Joel (Maria) Sampson of Lanesboro, Minnesota, two brothers; Tillman Sampson of Ellicott City, Maryland and Don Sampson of Mason City, Iowa, many grand-children, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Ivan was preceded in death by a beloved son Carlton Sampson, his parents-in-law; Raymond and Jeanette (Coulter) Waehler, three sisters; Alma Campbell, Starlene Field and Betty Behr, four brothers; Sigwald Sampson, Peter Sampson, Lloyd Sampson and Norman Sampson.
A memorial service for Ivan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lomira with Pastor Dan Schmidt officiating. Burial of Ivan's cremains will take place at a later date.
The Sampson family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the St. John's Lutheran Church building fund are appreciated.
The Kietzer-Miller Funeral Home in Lomira has been entrusted with Ivan's arrangements.
The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Hope Nursing Home in Lomira and Agnesian Hospice for their excellent care of Ivan.