Esther Eileen Sampson, 91, Owatonna

Eileen Sampson passed away on Oct. 27, 2025, to be with Jesus in her heavenly home. Eileen loved her Savior Jesus and was thankful for his gift of salvation on the cross.

Eileen was born to Roy and Esther (Sampson) Arnfelt at their farmhouse near New Richland, on Dec. 30, 1933. Eileen attended LeSueur River Lutheran Church and was baptized in 1934 and confirmed in 1948. Eileen went to country school through fourth grade and then attended New Richland Public Schools. She graduated from New Richland High School in May 1951.

Eileen was employed by Federated Insurance in Owatonna, as a stenographer. She advanced to become supervisor of the stenographers of the Central Division.

Eileen married Joe Sampson on Feb. 5,1954, and they made their home together in Owatonna. In 1957, they purchased the Butter Capitol Dairy which became Sampson Dairy. Eileen worked at Federated for nine years before leaving to start a family in 1960. She later worked part-time at the dairy for over 30 years.

Joe and Eileen had two sons, Brian Anthony in 1960 and Daniel Roy in 1963.

During 71 years of marriage, Eileen and Joe made many wonderful memories including family trips to northern Minnesota, Canada, the Western U.S., and even California and Florida to visit Eileen’s relatives. Vacations together included the Bahamas, Barbados, Hawaii, Alaska, and Cabo Mexico where Eileen caught a nine-foot Marlin sailfish.

Joe and Eileen joined Trinity Lutheran Church in 1954. Eileen taught Sunday School and was a member of the board of trustees, altar guild, circles, and bible studies. Eileen was a trained public home health aide for four years. She was also a member of Owatonna Arts Center, Historical Society, Woman's Club, and served Meals on Wheels. Eileen had a special relationship with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, providing love, support and guidance to her little sister of 14 years. Eileen and Joe also sponsored an exchange student, Anders Liss, from Sweden.

Eileen was a fine homemaker, super cook and baker, making lefse, brownies, and scotcheroos; she especially excelled at preparing holiday meals. Eileen was also an awesome gardener, raising and caring for dozens of varieties of flowers. She won over 122 ribbons at the Steele County Fair, many of them Grand Champion.

Eileen was blessed with a special daughter-in-law, Jodi, the mother of her three grandchildren. Eileen loved going to school, sports, and church events and activities of Sydney, Sam and Lily.

Eileen will be remembered for her strong Christian faith and her support and prayers for many relatives and friends. Joe and Eileen joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in 2012. Eileen was a member of the Good Shepherd Prayer Group.

Eileen is survived by Joe, her husband of 71 years, son Brian, son Daniel, daughter-in-law Jodi, granddaughters Sydney and Lillian, and grandson Samuel; sister Joanne Waddington, brother Paul Arnfelt, and sister-in-law Iona Arnfelt, and many nieces and nephews. The family appreciates all the prayers and visits to Eileen from family and friends. A special thank you to the Ecumen Hospice team and the Birchwood Care Center who helped care for her in her last days.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Esther Arnfelt, brother Robert Arnfelt and his wife Joyce, brother Tony Arnfelt and his son Jeff, brother Rick Arnfelt and his wife Mary Jane, sister-in-law Gail Arnfelt and her son Patrick, brother-in-law Clarence Sampson and his wife Norma, sister-in-law Marianne Malecha and her husband Gus.

Visitation will be at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna, on Oct. 31, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Nov. 1, 2025, at Good Shepherd Church, 2500 7th Ave. NE, Owatonna, from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will be held on Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor Greg Schlicker officiating. Interment will be Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna. After interment, a lunch will be served at Good Shepherd.

In lieu of flowers, and because of Eileen’s passion for prayer, the family requests donations in Eileen's memory go to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or to Prayer Encouragement Worship Ministries, PEW35, which can be found at https://pew35.org.

For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.