. . . . in Memory of . . . .
    Helen Sampsen

    Helen Johanna Sampsen passed away February 24th  at Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home
    in Plentywood, Montana.  She was born at the family farm in Antelope, Montana, November
    16, 1920; the fifth of six children born to Norwegian pioneers, Axel and Adah Romstad.   
    Growing up during the Great Depression taught her many of life’s lessons, however,
    somehow during those difficult years she became a very accomplished musician; a talent
    she shared with all of Northeastern Montana with grace and perfection.  

    Helen met her music partner and husband of 59 years, Arlo Sampsen, while attending
    Antelope High School.  Following graduation from Antelope High School, she attended
    Northern Montana College in Havre where she and Arlo played for many dances to help
    finance their education.  Helen taught music and elementary grades in both Medicine Lake
    and Hiawatha School in Dagmar.  Helen and Arlo were married March 27, 1942, and settled
    into farm life in the Dagmar community.    

    As the years continued, Helen played piano and organ music for literally hundreds of
    occasions including church services, funerals, weddings, programs, and dances.   She
    could play hundreds of songs by heart often after listening to a tune on the radio.  For many
    years she taught private piano lessons.  

Helen was active in community affairs especially Nathanael Lutheran Church where she was an organist and choir director.  She and
her husband enjoyed traveling and spent 20 winters in Arizona.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Arlo in 2001, and her four brothers Adolph, Erling, Rolf, and Donald, and a sister, Nora
Small. She is survived by her son, Rick and his wife Mary of Dagmar and a daughter Susan of Newnan, Georgia.  Also surviving are her
two grandchildren, Gretchen, of New York City and Cory and his wife Nikki of Dagmar.  Although Parkinson’s disease robbed her of many
of life’s pleasures in her later years, her eyes brightened with the birth of three beautiful great-grandchildren, Jillian Meadow, Audrey
Clair, and Dean Arlo.

Helen’s funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Nathanael Lutheran Church in Dagmar.  Pastor Betty Mawbey will
officiate and burial will be at the Nathanael Church Cemetery.  A luncheon will be served at the church, following interment.

Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood is in charge of arrangements.
1920 - 2009
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