Delia Dee Sampson

Delia Dee J. Sampson, age 85 of Sioux Falls, SD passed away peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Bethany Home in Brandon, SD.
Her memorial service will be 10 a.m. Monday, April 7, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. The family will be present for visitation an hour prior to the service. Interment at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD. Visit www.georgeboom.com for a live stream link and online guestbook.
Delia Jane Sampson, known to all as Dee, was born on Dec. 4, 1939, in Westport, South Dakota, to Ralph and Lucy (Fiedler) Howe. Dee was a brilliant student, graduating with honors from Frederick High School in 1958. Her love for learning led her to South Dakota State University, where she earned an Associate degree in Biology in May 1961. Lifelong learning was important to her, and later in life, she pursued courses toward a Bachelor degree in Microbiology at SDSU.
On Dec. 23, 1961, Dee married her soulmate, Merdean Dean Sampson, in Frederick, SD. Their journey together began in Mason City, IA, where they lived for a few years before longing to return to South Dakota to be closer to family. Eventually, they settled in Brookings, where Dee would thrive in both her career and family life from 1969 to 2012. In the years that followed, they continued their life together in Sioux Falls and Brandon, SD.
Dee dedicated the majority of her professional career as a Laboratory Research Technician at the North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory in Brookings, contributing her talents from 1969 until her retirement in 1998 at the age of 56. After retirement, she chose to engage in part-time office work, which allowed her to spend more time with her family.
In her leisure time, Dee embraced several hobbies that enriched her life. She found solace in gardening, pleasure in reading, and took joy in sewing. The holiday season brought her particular delight as she devoted time to watching Hallmark movies, and creating memories with her family that will last a lifetime.
Grateful for sharing her life are her loving husband, Dean Sampson of Sioux Falls, SD; their children, Joseph (Victoria) Sampson of Highland Heights, KY, Anne (Andre) Zimiga of Fargo, ND, and Timothy Sampson of Sioux Falls, SD.; her grandchildren, Spencer Sampson, Ashley Zimiga, Megan Sampson; Alec Zimiga, Natalie, Sophia, and Isabelle Sampson; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Dee was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Lucy (Fiedler) Howe; her sisters, Christine Howe, Kathy (Howe) Bennett, Lorna (Howe) Wimmer, and Lucy (Howe) Gordon; and her brother, Ralph Howe Jr.