Marie S. Sampson

Marie S. (Sophia) Sampson, age 96, died June 15, 2026 at Meadows on Fairview in Wyoming, Minnesota. Marie was born on December 22, 1929 on the family farm near St. Libory, NE. She was the fourth child of John Sylvester Wissing and Francis Wissing nee Eich. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her siblings, Mildred Dingwerth, Robert Wissing, Joan Lockwood and Phyllis Jean Power. After graduating from Grand Island High School in Nebraska, Marie worked as a bookkeeper for a local bakery.

It was in Grand Island that she met Ira Sampson. They were wed on July 3, 1950 and traveled to Minnesota where Ira was employed by Kraus-Anderson. On April 23, 1951 she gave birth to their son, Lon Jerome Sampson. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Ira’s childhood home in Forest Lake, MN. Marie commuted to her job at 3M in St. Paul for decades. She received her 30-year pin September 1, 1989.

 Upon retirement Marie and Ira traveled extensively both in Europe and throughout America. They attended their godson Michael’s wedding in Cabo San Lucas. Eventually they purchased a second home in Mesa, AZ, joining many of their friends as “snowbirds”. After Ira’s death in Mesa in 2004, Marie spent time visiting her sisters and their families. She enjoyed traveling with Pat and her husband Bill to France, Hawaii and Tahoe. Eventually Marie sold her home in Mesa and returned to Forest Lake full time. She enjoyed socializing with her many good friends and exploring different crafts and all kinds of card games. In Marie’s later years, she took up residence in the Meadows on Fairview in Wyoming, MN. She was sustained throughout those years by her many great and valued friendships and her devoted nieces and nephews, particularly Patrice Tarbet who traveled to and from California to be with her aunt when she was most needed. Marie was predeceased by her son, Lon Sampson on November 19, 2013. She is survived by her granddaughter, Leah Sampson, one sister, Patricia White (Bill) and numerous nephews and nieces. 

Throughout her life in Forest Lake, Marie was a devoted parishioner at the Church of St. Peter where a funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Church of Saint Peter, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake. The family will greet friends one hour prior to mass at the church. A reception will follow mass in St. Peter’s Hall. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake, Minnesota.