Gerald "Jerry" Russell Sampson

Gerald “Jerry” Russell Sampson, age 76, of Lyle, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at his home. He was born August 10, 1948, in Osage, Iowa, to Russell and Gladys Sampson. He attended Union 3 District (a one room schoolhouse) through the fourth grade. After that school closed, he attended and graduated from St. Ansgar in 1966. He went on to Austin VoTech and graduated with an electronics degree in 1969 and later acquired his FCC First Class Radiotelephone Operator License. He was a visionary…. ahead of his times. He always had a positive attitude as his glass was ½ full, not ½ empty.

After meeting Diane Aanonson in Sunday School many years earlier, they were united in marriage on June 18, 1966, and welcomed three children, Michele, Jeremy, and Steve. They eventually called home on a farm in rural Lyle, Minnesota. It was here that they raised their family. Jerry ran his two-way radio, cell phone, and precision ag equipment businesses, and also fulfilled his lifelong passion of farming, often barefoot. He was a lifetime member of Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church, where he served as president for many years and on the cemetery board. He was an active volunteer in the Lyle Community, if there was sound coming from speakers, it was more than likely Jerry's doing. Together, Jerry and Diane served as Grand Marshals for the Lyle Independence Day Celebration in 2023. He was active in Boy Scouts, being Scoutmaster and seeing many scouts achieve the Eagle Scout rank. He received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor that can be awarded to a scout leader. Jerry was active in 4-H and the Mower County Fair. Together, he and his wife received Mower County Fair Persons of the Year in 2006, Friends of 4-H award in 2014, inducted into the Mower County Livestock Hall of Fame in 2017, and was honored for his 40 years of volunteering with 4-H in 2023. He also volunteered his time on the Mower County 4-H Ribbon Auction Committee for many years. If you had your picture taken for the auction it was probably Jerry that took it. He served on the Lyle School Board for 15+ years. He also had a love for his 1966 GTO.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Diane; children, Michele Douglas (Mike Bruggeman) of St. Ansgar, IA, Jeremy (Annie) Sampson of Melbourne, Australia, and Steve (Nikki) Sampson of St. Ansgar, IA; grandkids, Chase (Heather) Douglas of Lyle, MN, Schyler (Michael) Hutchinson of Austin, MN, Ben Sampson of Melbourne, Australia, Ty Sampson of St. Ansgar, IA, Brody Sampson of St. Ansgar, IA, Cooper Sampson of St. Ansgar, IA, Ariel Martin (Zeb) of Lyle, MN, Colton (Emily) Bruggeman of Stacyville, IA, and Carissa (Henry) Mullenbach of Stacyville, IA; great grandkids, Sarah, Baley, Liam, Noah, Taylor, Ava, Eli, Hunter, Ethan, and Myles; mother, Gladys Sampson of St. Ansgar, IA; mother-in-law, Beverly Aanonson of Rose Creek, MN; siblings, Jim (Pam) Sampson of Lyle, MN, and Deb (Timm) Ehret of Rose Creek, MN; sister-in-law, Janice (Craig) Murphy of Austin, MN; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews; and his beloved cat, MeMe. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Russell Sampson; and father-in-law, John Aanonson.

A memorial service for Jerry will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Six Mile Grove Lutheran Church in rural Lyle. The visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin and will continue for one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Interment will be in Six Mile Grove Cemetery, rural Lyle. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.

To view the livestream of Jerry's service, please click the link below:

https://plan.passare.com/planner/encore/event/26976544