Karen Lou Sampson, age 68, of Glasgow, Montana passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, after a lengthy battle with COPD.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m., at the Bell Mortuary in Glasgow with Pastor Bonnie Novak presiding. Cremation and burial will take place at a later date.
Visitation will be from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Bell Mortuary.
Karen was born in the town of Glasgow, Montana on July 6th, 1950. She was the second of six children, and the first daughter, of Morris Ellwood and Evelyn Elizabeth (Nayes) Anderson.
Karen graduated from high school in 1968. She worked at the Deluxe Cleaners as a young adult, a job she often spoke very fondly of (something about a mangle? What is that?!) She was also a dog groomer for 20 or so years, and could make even the mangiest mutts look loveable. Perhaps her most favorite job was tending bar at the Montana for a number of years, where she considered most patrons to be friends (and a few jerks–Not her words exactly, this is a PG obituary).
In her younger days, she enjoyed bowling, dart league, and competitive pool league. She could handily kick butt in all of them, and didn’t mind telling you so. Karen was a skilled seamstress, from the fine details of clothing creation, to upholstery, she could do it all. She also was a self-taught hairdresser, and could not-only nail a 1980’s style perm, but also gave many grandchildren and great-nieces their first haircuts. (If you are looking for a Flowbee, we know where it is.) She taught her daughters to fish, and could fix nearly anything, even before YouTube existed. She was a caretaker through and through, and along with her sister Rene, she afforded her own mother to live independently as long as was possible. Karen was an avid shopper, and we hope the local delivery drivers will continue to have work after her passing.
Karen leaves behind a hell of a lot of ‘treasures’ that her family doesn’t know what to do with. For her friends that loved to see her come to their yard sale, please come collect your belongings, we won’t even charge you for them. If anyone is looking for an obnoxious gold cat vase/container, or any other odd yet fine piece of houseware, you should wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch with the family.
Tomorrow would be fine.
In addition to her stuff, she leaves behind two daughters that she was extremely proud of, Angie (Bob) Peterson and Brandi (John) Knierim, as well as her husband of 48 ½ years, Lorrie Sampson. She will be missed by her five grandchildren who she did daycare for and taught to curse and play video games, Randy Peterson, Ian Peterson, Will Knierim, Sam Knierim, and Mary Knierim. She also left behind siblings Butch Anderson, Jo (Chuck) McAllister, Rene (Curt) Clampitt, and Victor (Carmen) Anderson, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
She will be having a reunion with many family members and friends that have gone before her, and being a bartender and a good cook, they will be happy to see her. She was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn; her father, Morris; infant brother, John Dennis; brother-in-law, Leroy McAllister, and her father-in-law, Al Sampson.
A common line in obituaries is “She never met a stranger”, in Karen’s case, this was true. She was difficult to move through Disneyland as she attempted to get to know every other person visiting the park.
Despite her occasional saltiness and colorful language used when demonstrating frustration, Karen was a loving, giving, and caring person. The evidence is the sorrow felt by her family after her passing. Karen had a peaceful death, due entirely to the care and dedication of the FMDH hospital staff. The breathlessness that can accompany chronic lung disease can be overwhelming, but they helped her to handle it with grace, and we will be forever indebted to them. As a final gift, Karen was able to donate her corneas as a lasting tribute to her giving spirit.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider making a donation to any animal assistance foundation or other charity of your choosing.
Lisa M Baxter says
I enjoyed Karen’s saltiness and we had many conversations “up at the home”. She will be missed. I know she is no longer struggling to take a good deep breath.
Tammy Hargis says
Prayers to the family
Linda Pischel says
I will continue to enjoy many fond memories of Karen. My deepest sympathies to family.
Linda Pischel
Sherry and Bob Kuntz says
We are saddened to hear of your sister passing, Rene. She sounds like a fun and loving person.
Alicia Hoyt says
Lorrie, you and your family are not alone in the loss of one so dear. The thoughts an d the love of others who care are with you always.
Dessie Flegel says
Deepest sympathies to you and your family. She sounds like she was a very wonderful loving person and had a lot of good qualities that people enjoyed. She will be greatly missed by all.
Diane Larsen says
Lorrie and family; my sincere condolences in the loss of your wife, mother and friend. I remember many fun times in Glasgow with the two of you.
Lana, Lance, Louie, Paula, Ryan & Chase says
My dad so fondly referred to Karen as “Ol Ironsides” and he used that name lovingly. He liked it when Karen worked because she always kept things in line and the bar was always spotless when she got off of shift.
All of my kids grew up knowing Karen and appreciating her for how well she took care of the bar, Dad, and “the Boys”. In addition to running a tight ship at the bar, she was a handy seamstress making a cover for the pool table, a cover for the wood box, and even a cover for the couch in the poker room.
I was lucky to visit with Karen the last time she was in the bar. She was wondering if we still had that little red vacuum she used at the bar when she worked there many years ago. As luck would have it Dad never threw anything away and sure enough we still had it.
Karen touched many people and will be missed by many.
Prayers and love to the family.
Carolyn Bachtold says
Thoughts and prayers for the family! Cherish the memories!
Ken and Connie James says
Karen had the most infectious giggle, she will be getting everyone in heaven laughing. She was a wonderful lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ginny Schneider Beaudoin says
I think the author of Karen’s obituary did a wonderful job in reflecting on sweet memories of Karen! My sincerest condolences go out to the entire family.
Sherry Schultz Shillenn says
Remembering Karen as a classmate from 1st grade until graduation, so bright, so sunny, so optimistic, such a nice, nice person. We also went through I am glad to read Karen had a life well lived and the honor of being loved and respected by all whose lives touched hers. She certainly was a walking Chamber of Commerce for the City of Glasgow, keeping in touch with all of us from Class of 1968, helping organize reunions,always inviting us to come home, showing us what was new…. We will meet again, all of us. Condolences to Lorrie and the girls and the grandchildren. She was so in love with all of you.
Jane Glasoe says
Lorrie, Angie, Brandy and families: So sorry to hear about the passing of Karen. We just saw her about a month ago at the clinic and had a nice, very short visit with her. Everyone will surely miss her.
Toby and Jane Glasoe