Helen Marie Sampson

June 26, 1918 - November 30, 2014

Helen Marie Sampson was born to Croation immigrants June 26, 1918, in Ankeny, Iowa the daughter of Louie “Luka” and Diana “Danica” (Blazevich) Kauzlarich. As a girl, Helen’s family moved around central Iowa with her father working at various coal mines. At the age of 18 months, Helen’s father was killed in a coal mining accident and her mother moved the family to Des Moines, where she would live the most of her adult life. Helen grew up in the depths of the Great Depression and as a young woman she worked as a live-in maid for wealthy Des Moines families in order to help her family survive. In 1942 she was united in marriage to Norman Edward Sampson. The couple soon moved to California where Norman worked in a shipyard factory to help with the war effort. It was in California where the couple’s first daughter, Judy was born. Following WWII the couple returned to Des Moines where they would remain the rest of their lives. Helen worked at a local drive-in, cleaned houses and took in ironing. She also worked in the cafeteria at Tech High School before taking a job as a sales clerk at the downtown Younkers. Their second daughter, Diana arrived in 1952. The couple raised their family on the East side of Des Moines. Shortly after Norman’s retirement from Fruehauf Trailer he passed away unexpectedly in 1979. A few years later, Helen moved to Urbandale and eventually to West Des Moines. For the last seven years she has been a resident of Calvin Manor Assisted Living in Des Moines. Helen and Norman enjoyed eating out, camping, fishing and visiting family and friends. After Norman’s death Helen traveled extensively and took several cruises. She also spent much of her time with family and friends and attending her local senior citizens center. She had a zest for life; always had a one-liner and was ready at anytime to play cards. Helen passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at the Mercy West Lakes Hospital, after a brief illness, at the age of 96 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Norman, seven siblings and a son-in-law, Larry J. Bertrand. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters: Judy Zager of Pleasantville, Iowa and Diana (Ron) Carzoli of West Des Moines, Iowa; 5 grandchildren: Larry Bertrand of St. Charles, Iowa, Ray Bertrand of Knoxville, Iowa, Dan Zager of Pleasantville, Iowa, Christopher Carzoli of Warren, Ohio and Andrea Carzoli of Urbandale, Iowa; 8 great-grandchildren: Alex, Claire, Nic and Max Bertrand, Emma, Rachel and Jack Bertrand and Harrison Carzoli and many other family members and friends. Mass of Christian Burial St. Francis of Assisi Parish – West Des Moines, Iowa Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Ray McHenry, Celebrant Larry Bertrand, Lector Musical Selections “Though the Mountains May Fall” “The Lord is My Shepherd” “Ave Maria” “On Eagle’s Wings” “How Great Thou Art” Claire Bertrand, soloist Karen Kalianov, pianist Angie Murphy, Cantor Casket Bearers Larry Bertrand Ray Bertrand Christopher Carzoli Andrea Carzoli Ron Carzoli Steve Glas Interment Pleasant Ridge Cemetery – Des Moines, Iowa For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines.