Obit: Samplawski, Cecelia "Celia" R. (1921 - 2007)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Samplawski, Wincek, Novak, Dejung, Kubista, Weich, Lewan, Stangret

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI.) June 6, 2007

Samplawski, Cecelia "Celia" R. (November 26, 1921 - June 3, 2007)

Cecelia (Celia) R. Samplawski, age 85, of Stanley, WI went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at the Dove Healthcare Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she received wonderful care during a courageous battle with cancer. Celia was a woman of faith, love, and grace, was hard-working, and had many talents which she freely shared with all she knew, and had a tremendous love of family. Celia’s legacy lives on through her family, friends, and many people she influenced.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, Stanley, WI with Fr. Robert Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery, Stanley, WI. Friends and family may call on Friday evening from 4-8 p.m. at the Plombon Funeral Chapel, Stanley, WI. Plombon Funeral service is assisting the family with arrangements.

Celia was born November 26, 1921, in rural Thorp, WI, daughter of George & Kathryn (Wincek) Novak. She was raised in rural Thorp with her seven brothers and sisters: Frances, Anna, Ed Virginia, John, Robert, and Ruby. Celia attended Riverhead School through the eighth grade and at the age of 16 moved to Chicago, IL, where she worked in a radio factory and as a waitress, returning home each summer to do farm work. She married Merl Samplawski on August 3, 1940, in Stanley, WI. They purchased land north of Stanley with a little log housed and barn. They worked very hard together clearing land to establish Sam-Dale Farms, a registered Holstein dairy farm, where they raised their family of four children. Celia was active in the Dorcas Guild, Sunshine Circle, Homemaker Club, and served as 4-H Leader. After farming for 50 years, Celia and Merl moved to their retirement home, also north of Stanley, where Celia enjoyed spending time with family, cooking and baking, nature, gardening, canning, making maple syrup, card club, occasional casino trips, traveling, and being an active member at the Stanley United Methodist Church. In 2006, Celia moved into Stanley to further her retirement and have even more time for family and friends.

Celia is survived by her children: Roger (Evelyn) Samplawski of Boyd, WI; and Janet (John) Dejung of Minneapolis, MN; daughter-in-law, Eileen (Stangret) Samplawski of Stanley, WI; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ruby Kubista, of Eagan, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Merl; her children, William in infancy, Eugene, and Donald; her brothers, Ed, John, and Robert; and sisters, Frances Weich, Anna Novak, and Virginia Lewan.