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Obituary For Arlene Sampson
Arlene Sampson, 97, of Ankeny, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in the comfort of her home.
An open house gathering for Arlene's friends and family will be held Sunday, August 31, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd.)
Arlene was the oldest of the Erickson kids born to Arch and Vernita Erickson. Her brothers, Dick, Willard, Alan and Owen were the joy of her life growing up in Roland, Iowa.
She met Loren in the third grade at Bergen Lutheran church. As 14-year-olds they went on their first date driving (yes, driving) to Story City to see the movie, Pride Of The Yankees, The Lou Gehrig Story. The rest is history. Arlene was an accomplished musician with the saxophone while Loren starred in basketball and baseball. After Loren’s all-expense paid cruise with the Army to Japan, he returned and they married. Arlene graduated from cosmetology school and had many years working with ladies hairstyles.
From that 70-year union came two daughters, Linda (Jeff) Susic, Wendy (Art) Cioni and son, Ron (Luann) Sampson. In 1956 Loren and Arlene moved from the comforts of Roland to the seemingly even smaller community of Ankeny, population about 1,200. Arlene was a homemaker and also helped with some bookkeeping duties when Loren and Ron owned the local paper.
Arlene had four grandchildren: Benj, Jonathan, Zach and Holly. She also had seven great grandchildren: Trevi, Baron, Camden, Tyler, Levi, Dayla and Colton.
Arlene and Loren were longtime members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny. They were also very proud to tell folks that their home on Des Moines Street was the most northern and western home in Ankeny when it was built in 1956 and where she still lived.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the family for Arlene's memorial or to the Ankeny Historical Society. A deep appreciation for everyone’s visits, care and concern and the gifts of banana nut bread and Kringla.
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Arlene was one of the kindest and sweetest people I've ever met. As a young mother, I was feeling very inadequate when it came to my in-laws she took me aside and spoke to me directly. It was from that conversation. I learned some deep truth about the family I had married into her words brought great comfort to me and I still remember them to this day. I know you walked into our Savior's arms.
My thoughts n heart n prayers are with all of Arlene's family. I pray God give you comfort n peace n strength in the days ahead. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John11:25 I too was inspired by Arlene's stride n persistent n graceful walks. The mealtime prayer, that Arlene was instrumental in placing on the Fellowship Hall of her church, struck a chord in me years ago. It became our family mealtime prayer of thanks. Denise Jones (Logli)
Arlene was a role model with a beautiful sole. She and Loren raised a beautiful family! I enjoyed visiting with her when I would made a small loaf of banana nut bread in later years. She has been reunited with her Love.
We used to live around the corner on First St from them and I would see her going for a walk. She was always dressed so stylish along with her visor and she had an elegant walk. You just couldn't not notice her. Will be thinking of you Ron, it's hard to lose a mom.
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Arlene was a wonderful friend, full of fun and enthusiastic about life. Blessed be her memory
