Loren Sampson

Loren Sampson, 91, of Ankeny passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at Taylor House Hospice facility in Des Moines. There will be a visitation at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (517 SW Des Moines St., Ankeny) from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2019 with a service to follow at 11 a.m. Loren was the youngest of nine children born to Gustie and Edward Sampson of Roland. His sisters were Evelyn, Inez, Grace and Ione. Brothers were Arnold, Clarence, Don and Bud. He met Arlene Erickson in the third grade in Bergen Lutheran church. As 14-year-olds at Roland, they went on their first date driving to Story City to see the movie Pride of the Yankees, The Lou Gerhig Story. The rest is history. Loren was an outstanding basketball and baseball player at Roland…tried to play the violin but felt most comfortable on the field and court. After graduation he took an all-expense paid cruise from Seattle to Japan with the US Army and served there in post-war occupation. He returned, sold his prized horse, Stardust for an engagement ring for Arlene and went to work for the Great Lakes Pipeline. From that 70-year union came two daughters, Linda (Jeff) Susic, Wendy (Art) Cioni) and son, Ron (Luann) Sampson. In 1956 Loren moved his family from the comforts of Roland to a seemingly smaller community of Ankeny, population around 1,200. Loren went on to careers with Thompson Display and joined son, Ron in the newspaper/printing business with the Ankeny Press Citizen for over 20 years. In retirement he also worked for Iowa Realty and Hamilton's Funeral Homes. He always felt privileged to be able to work into his 90's. Loren had four grandchildren: Benj, Jonathan, Zach and Holly. He also had seven great grandchildren: Trevi, Baron, Camden, Tyler, Levi, Daylia, and Colton. He was a fan of Ankeny sports, Hawkeyes and Cyclones. He was a Cubs fan but switched over to watching the Minnesota Twins when his grandson played for them. Although he grew up on a depression-era farm, he more than enjoyed the amenities that came from living in town…like indoor plumbing and electricity. He even wrote his life story about his many life chapters once when he was on a plane battling claustrophobia. Loren and Arlene are long time members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny and active all of their lives services, functions and support. It was their home away from home. Speaking of their home, Loren and Arlene have always been proud to have built their home in the most northern and western neighborhood in Ankeny…and still live in it 63 years later. In lieu of flowers, the family plans a memorial for Loren. Deep appreciation to everyone for their visits, prayers and concern. A special thank you to Unity Point Hospice and Taylor House for extraordinary care.