Carlyn Sampson

Dr. Carlyn Elizabeth Grutzner Sampson passed away peacefully on October 29^th with her loving family by her side. Her celebration of life will be this Sunday November 4^th at Sharon Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, ND.  Visitation will begin at 12:30pm, with the service starting at 1:15pm.  Her burial will follow shortly thereafter at 4:30pm in Edmore, ND.

Carlyn was born September 10, 1932 to Carl and Freda (Laessing) Grutzner in Floral Park, Long Island, NY. In 1950, she graduated high school at the Cathedral School of St. Mary in Garden City, NY.  In 1954, Carlyn graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Colby College in Maine.  She then worked in medical research at Yale Medical school before earning her Master’s Degree in Education at Columbia University, New York City, in 1956.  Throughout all of her education, she took great pride in always being at the top of her classes.

On August 18, 1956, Carlyn married her love, Dr. Douglas Howard Sampson.  She taught 5^th grade in Los Alamos, NM before starting a family.  Together they raised their four children for a few years in Newtown Square, PA; then moved to State College, PA where they spent many years, and finally settled their family in Grand Forks, ND. After her children were grown, she earned her PhD in Education from the University of North Dakota.  She taught, tutored, and was a tax preparer.

Other passions of hers were history, science, travel, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, hiking, volunteering, music and concerts, local events, and board games.  Some of her clubs and memberships included book clubs, University Women, and Red Hat Society, usually as Treasurer or President. Her favorite interest for many years was being a Cub Scout Den Mother.

Carlyn is survived by her special friend, Arvy Larson of Grand Forks, ND, and her four children, 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her children are Lloyd Sampson of Fargo, ND; Elizabeth (& Harley) Pakola of Spicer, MN; Daniel (& Kathryn) Sampson of Grand Forks, ND, and Bruce Sampson of Grand Forks, ND.  Grandchildren are Dustin (& SuRei) Sampson, Juliet Sampson, Alexis Sampson, and Sandra Sampson, all of Fargo, ND; Christina (& Justin) Hobson; Jennifer Pakola, Kathryn (& David) Ford, and Austin Pakola, all of Austin, TX; Wyatt Sampson, Alexander Sampson, and Amber Sampson, all of Grand Forks, ND.  She also adored her two great-grandchildren, Drake Hobson and Savannah Hobson, of Austin, TX.

She is preceded in death by her loving parents, Carl and Freda; husband, Douglas; sister, Janet; and infant grandson, also named Douglas.