Manford Sampson

Manford Sampson, 90, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, February 25, 2011, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. He was born January 4, 1921, in Dawson, the son of Lars and Christina (Thompson) Sampson.  He grew up and attended school in the Dawson area, where he helped his father in the Painting Business. On June 22, 1942, Manford joined the US Army, serving in the European, African Middle East Theater.  He was discharged on December 10, 1945.  On April 6, 1946, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Kalsow at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.  He had resided in Fergus Falls since their marriage. Manford was a mechanic for Mobil Gas Station, Dudgeon-Holtman and retired from Super GMC.  He then worked for the Green Thumb Program at the Iverson Lake Rest Area. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, Fergus Falls American Legion and VFW and part of the Championship VFW Drill Team.  He was a charter member and first president of Fergus Falls Barbershop Chorus, a Boy Scout volunteer leader of Troop 305, known as Sam the Popcorn Man and enjoyed the camping and comradery.  He loved woodworking, flower gardening and singing with the Musical Messengers at nursing homes and other venues. Preceding him in death were his wife; sisters, Violet, Lillian, Geneva and Florence; brothers, Thomas, Elmer “Red”, Raymond, Lloyd and Russell and a granddaughter, Amy. Survivors include, two sons, Roger (Myrna) of Mora and Steven of Fergus Falls; one daughter, Robin (Tom) Brimhall of Fergus Falls; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Wayne of International Falls and an adopted brother, John Sampson of California.