Donald C. Sampson

Madison - Donald Charles Sampson, age 83, died peacefully at St. Mary's Care Center on Thursday, March 17, 2011 after a struggle with the effects of strokes and Parkinson's. Don was born on December 12, 1927, in Edina, Minnesota, the youngest son of Fred and Jennie Anderson Sampson. He was a graduate of St. Louis Park High School and received his business degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He served honorably in the US Navy, stationed in Guam, from 1946-1948. He married the former Mary Janaan (""Jan"") Noonan on June 18, 1955, in Dubuque, Iowa, and they have resided in Madison since then.

Don started his own home building firm, Sampson Builders, in the 1950s. He loved his work and took great pride in the quality design and construction of homes and buildings in the Madison area. Several of his homes have been featured in the Madison Parade of Homes. He was active in the Madison Builders Associaton and served a year as President. Don loved the the outdoors, enjoying camping, canoeing, and hiking and was an accomplished skier and golfer. In his retirement he enjoyed gathering with his exercise group from the former 10 Tower Rehabilitation Center at Meriter Hospital and also meeting for coffee with a group of friends at the Copper Top. Most of all, Don loved his family and sharing activities with them.

Don is survived by his wife of 55 years Mary Janaan (""Jan""); his children Mark (Marcia Prather) Sampson of Florence, MT; Sarah Leggett; James (Julie) Sampson of Madison; and Ann (Greg) Poe of Ithaca, NY; his grandchildren Kayla Sampson and Jeremy and Kyle Poe; and two brothers, Richard (Fran) Sampson of Minneapolis, MN, and Fred Sampson of Tacoma, Washington. He is further survived by five nephews and five nieces and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son John; brother Ralph Sampson; and sisters Evelyn Plough, Muriel Hancock, and Dorothy Ceminsky.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 25, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, with Monsignor Kenneth J. Fiedler officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the Church. Those wishing to express their sympathy with a memorial may wish to consider St. Mary's Foundation for the Care Center, 700 S. Park St., Madison, WI 53715; Hospice Care inc, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711; or Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church School Endowment Fund, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, WI 53711.

The family thanks Dr. Robert Cole, Dr. Art Walaszek, and the dedicated staff of St. Mary's Care Center and of Hospice Care Inc for their loving and compassionate care. Thank you to all our family and friends for your prayers and support.