Wayne Samplawski

Wayne Arland (“Sammy”) Samplawski, formerly of Horicon, passed away at his home in Beaver Dam at the age of 83 on Monday, November 19, 2018.He was born at home on the farm in the Town of Delmar, Chippewa County, January 23, 1935, the eleventh child of Edward and Hazel (Hatfield) Samplawski.He was driving milk truck by the age of 13; and worked on a mink farm for two years before moving to Columbus, WI at the age of 16 to help his sister, Phyllis, on her farm, which is how he met his wife, Roberta Tompkins. They were united in marriage on September 8, 1956. He worked in a foundry in Fall River and he worked for Blaska farms in Sun Prairie before moving to Horicon to work at and eventually purchase the gas station from his in-laws. Not only did he own a gas station, car wash and auto repair business, he also had a snowplowing business which he loved, built a laundromat, drove bulk truck delivering diesel fuel and home heating fuel, and drove truck for Hechimovich Landfill.At the age of 18, he joined the Army National Guard a short time before the Korean War ended and was honorably discharged in 1959. He was a member of the Horicon American Legion Post #157.He was a lifetime member of the Horicon Rod and Gun Club, a charter member of the Horicon Marsh Snowmobile Club and served in officer positions for the club. He was an avid bowler and was a pitcher for some very successful softball teams. He loved his Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.He is survived by his wife, Roberta (“Birdie”); three sons, Randall (Andrea), Timothy, and Todd; four daughters, Brenda (Nelson) Molina, Lynda, Darra (Beaker) Weinberger and Faye (Lonnie) Hoeft; 17 grandchildren, Wade, Kristin, Aaron, Jason, Kale, Travis, Tyler, Briar, Jaryd, Cassondra, Courtney, Caitlin, Samantha, Natassia, Kyle, Lucas, and Jennifer; 19 great-grandchildren, Max, Jack, Bryce, Paityn, Alyssa, Amber, Kora, Noah, Trinity, Hannah, Triston, Brooklyn, Lander, Kadin, Kaleah, Kannon, Dylan, Aaliyah, and Leonardo; and three sisters, Florence Wald, Phyllis Stanek and Geraldine Mahal.Wayne has been reunited with family who preceded him in death, including, his son, Rick; his parents; his special nephew, Wayne Hawkins; brothers, Clarence, Norman, Everett, Bernard, George and Harold; sisters, Catherine Wald and Alva Torisk, and other relatives and friends.Wayne always said he was blessed with a good family and was proud of his kid’s accomplishments. A couple of his favorite sayings were “What did the monkey say when he got his tail caught in the lawnmower; it won’t be long now.” And “Remember, wherever you go, there you are.” Well, we all know where you are now, in Heaven.A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at the Horicon American Legion on Saturday, February 2, 2019. The memorial will begin at 12:00 noon, followed by food and fellowship until 6:00 p.m.