Dennis W. Sampolinski, age 77, died peacefully at home on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Dennis, affectionately known as Sam by family and friends, was born June 23, 1946 to Raymond and Dorothy (Beeschke) Sampolinski in Milwaukee, WI.

Sam attended Concordia High School, Milwaukee, and then went on to Concordia University in River Forest, IL. While there he earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in education and played football and baseball. Sam later earned his Masters in Educational Administration at UW Madison.

Sam started his teaching career in Illinois and moved to Columbus, WI in 1976 where he taught in the Columbus Public Schools for 30 years. He was dedicated to youth sports and spent countless hours coaching youth wrestling, football and baseball. He was a WIAA official for 46 years; umpiring baseball, Home Talent, and softball, refereeing basketball and officiating football throughout Southern Wisconsin.

Sam enjoyed 17 years of retirement and filled his days with card playing, reading, and doing crossword puzzles.  He spent his summers enjoying golf with his friends and grandsons at the Columbus Country Club and winters curling at the Poynette Curling Club. He thoroughly enjoyed attending his grandson's sports games and events. Sam was a lifelong Packer, Badger, and Brewer fan. Sam loved history and traveling to historic sites and National Parks throughout our beautiful country and especially loved annual trips to Arizona.

Sam was a member of Faith Lutheran Church for 46 years where he was a Lay Minister. He lived a life deeply rooted in his faith from a young boy until his death. He embodied a faithfulness and passion for studying and teaching the Bible.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 51 years, Claire (Kurth) Sampolinski of Columbus, three children Scott (Jessica) Sampolinski of Fall River, Sarah (Michael) Peete of Shakopee, MN, Susanna (Adam) Krakow of Columbus; six grandsons Tyler and Kayden Sampolinski, Michael and Cameron Peete, Cooper and Bodie Krakow; three brothers-in-law Norbert (Cheri) Kurth of Cedarburg, Roger (Jan) Kurth of Columbus, Kenneth (Joan) Kurth of Peoria, AZ; many other relatives and friends. Dennis was preceded in death by his son Christian, parents, father and mother-in-law Henry and Rose Kurth.

Visitation will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, Columbus, on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., and Saturday, January 6 from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. with a memorial service beginning at 11:00 A.M. Rev. Jane Crawford will officiate. Inurnment will be at East York Cemetery, Town of York.

The funeral service will be live streamed on the Faith Lutheran Church – Columbus, WI Facebook page at faithcolumbuswi.org.

Memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church, Columbus.

A special thank you to Dr. Rolf Poser, the staff at Prairie Ridge and St. Mary's Hospitals, Agrace Hospice, and Carrie Croft.

We encourage you to share your online condolences with Sam's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com