Robert Sampers

Robert Sampers, age 79, of Alta, Iowa died on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place on Saturday, August 10, 2019 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Storm Lake. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. 

Robert Joseph Sampers was born April 14, 1940 in Early, Iowa to Joseph and Christina (Werkmeister) Sampers. His early years were spent exploring Sac County and being the family prankster. The family moved to Storm Lake, IA when he was thirteen.  He attended Saint Mary’s school where he graduated in 1958.

Always ready for adventure he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He was joined in marriage to Pamella Wilson on January 27, 1962 in NAS Jacksonville, FL. He served in Rota, Spain and onboard USS Shangri-la (CVA-38). They were blessed with their first two children, Brenda and Debbie. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy they soon settled in Alta, IA. The family was completed with three more children: Cindy, Randy and April.

Robert began working for his father-in-law, Stan Wilson, building houses in Storm Lake.  He also spent several years working for Hy-grade meat packing plant. Adventuring once again, he began a career as a Facilities/Safety Engineer in Texas, Alabama, South Dakota, Illinois and Minnesota. 

Retirement brought him home to Alta where he served on the Park board for several years. He was a jack-of-all trades and an avid garage sale fanatic. He enjoyed fixing broken Christmas items and furniture for his wife.  Whenever something was broken, the answer was “ask Bob.” He spent a lot of his time creating an oasis in his back yard by gardening and tending his fishpond. He loved old war movies, cartoons, trains and his grandkids. Pretending not to know his grandkids names, he had made up special names for all.  His nieces and nephews affectionately referred him to as “Mean Uncle Bob,” but of course knew he was a real softie and would be there when you needed help.   

He is survived by his wife, Pam; his children (and spouses), Jimmie Bertsch, Debbie (Gary) Glenn, Cindy (Ron) Bertsch, Randy (Julie) Sampers, April (Mike) Lange; grandchildren, Joni (James) Rosenbury, Jonathan Boyle, Steve (Beth) Glenn, Kristen (Brian) Duncan, Lynette (Mark) Wyatt, Nathan Glandon, Brian Bertsch, Carrie (Troy) Vetter, Dacia (Phil) Cooley, Kasey (Emily) Bertsch, Brianna (Roger) Mattison, Hannah (Austin) Sampers, Ben (Jazmin) Stange, Logan (Rebekah) Sampers, Brady (Katie), Levi (Isabella) Sampers, Chrissy (Alex) Lange, Mandi (Billy) Lange, Beckie Lange, Lanee Lange; great-grandchildren, Catilynn, Nevaeh, Micah, and Nicholi Rosenbury, Emily and Jonathan Glenn, Addie, Zoe, Reese Duncan, Marcy (Nick) Tharaldson, Michael (Emma) Vetter, Samuel, Genevieve and Jacob Vetter, Elizabeth and Lincoln Cooley, Victoria and Alexandria Mattison, Caden Stange, Hunter Stange; great-great grandchild, Melanie Tharaldson; and little friends, Bristol Bailey and Brady Schubert.

Surviving siblings and in-laws, Phyllis Davis, Su Sampers, Joyce (Gary) Olson, Betty (Joe) Jacobs, Beverly (John) Jorgenson, Mark (Camille) Sampers, Sandra (Francis) Heid, Marsha Heinsohn.

He is preceded by his daughter Brenda Bertsch; granddaughter, Jennifer Boyle; parents, Joe and Christina Sampers; in-laws Stan and Jennie Wilson; siblings and in-laws, Marjorie and Richard Andrews, Donald and Joan Sampers, Francis Sampers, Merlin Davis, David Sampers, and Larry Heinsohn; niece, Christina Jacobs; and cousin James Sampers. 

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