Joan Sampson Anderson

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Joan Sampson Anderson, 88, of Lincoln, passed away April 17, 2024. Joan was born on the family farm near Petersburg, Illinois, the daughter of S. Roy and Marie (Geriets) Sampson.

She attended a one room country school through the eighth grade and then went to Petersburg Harris High School (now PORTA). She earned a BA degree in Home Economics Education from MacMurray College, Jacksonville, Illinois, and MS and PhD degrees in Family and Consumption Economics from the University of Illinois. Joan was the 1982 MacMurray College Alumni Award Honoree.

Joan was employed at the University of Illinois as a county co-operative extension home economist in five counties (Rock Island, Montgomery, Champaign, Clay and Tazewell) from 1957-1969. While in Champaign County she organized the first Town and Country Art Show and in Tazewell County she was responsible for initiating a nutrition program using commodity foods. As Assistant Professor in the College of Home Economics, University of Nebraska from 1972-1986, Joan was the recipient of the Bereuter Teaching Award and the College of Home Economics Teaching Award. She initiated the use of the personal computer in a personal finance course. She established internships for students majoring in consumer affairs. Joan earned the salesperson and broker real estate licenses. She was Director of the Professional School of Real Estate and Broker for Nebraska Referral, Inc.

Her husband of 39 years, John E. Anderson preceded her in death in 2013.

Survivors are son Jim Migdal (Victoria Thorpe), granddaughters Eliza and Blair, Palo Alto, CA; brother Robert (Ruth Ann) Sampson, and niece Barbara Sampson, Petersburg, IL; nephews Blake Sampson, Springfield, IL, and Barry (Karyn) Sampson, great nephew Matthew and great niece Alexa Sampson, Sherman, IL; step-daughter Susan (Rocke) Huntington, step-grandson Chad Hulbert (Nikki Karle), step-granddaughter Kris (Dennis) Vaske, step-great-grandchildren Ture, Spirit and Nation Vaske, all of Lincoln, NE.

Joan served as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Lincoln Literacy, Lincoln General (now Bryan West) gift shop, and TeamMates, Lincoln Unitarian Church as a member, chairperson of committees, and member and secretary of the board of trustees. Her church recognized her as the Unsung Unitarian. She was active in national, state and local professional organizations during her career and in retirement and was an active member and officer of Home Economists in Home and Community. After her move to The Landing retirement community, she was active on committees and residents’ advisory council there.

Graveside service: 1:00 pm Thursday, April 25, 2024, Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6800 South 14th Street. Please meet inside Gate#2 at 12:30 pm.

Memorials to The Landing Scholarship Fund or Residents Assistance Fund at Immanuel Foundation, 3500 Faulkner Drive, Lincoln, NE 68516, Lincoln Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street, Lincoln, NE 68510, or the charity of donor’s choice.

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Services

April25

Graveside Service

1:00 pm

Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery (meet inside Gate#2)

6800 South 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska

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Share a Memory or Condolence

April 27, 2024

Our family was lucky enough to meet Joan at the Unitarian Church in Lincoln. She was always so kind and welcoming to us. She took interest in what we were doing and in watching our child grow from a toddler to a young adult. The unconditional love that she shared was an amazing gift to those around her. We were blessed to have known her.

– –Sina Martin Lehn, Michael & Auggie Lehn

April 26, 2024

I had the undeniable blessing of getting to know Joan Anderson in her last two years–my first two in Lincoln and as a Unitarian. She was delightful! I would visit her at The Landing–sometimes including a meal in the dining room–and talk about what I was learning in my new home. She was so encouraging about my interests and activities. She gifted me a copy of her book and I am so pleased that she signed it for me. Her razor sharp mind was in tact even the last time I saw her at Martha House. I will miss having her wisdom, curiosity, kindness, and experience but I’m grateful that her pain and suffering have ended. Thank you, Jackie Egan, for the introduction, and Karen Dienstbier for the visits.

– Judy Kelly

April 25, 2024

Joan was truly a wonderful friend and chosen grandmother to my husband and me. When we, a young gay couple, moved to Lincoln in 2008 and subsequently joined the Unitarian Church, Joan was among the first to welcome us with open arms; such hospitality and instant friendship wasn’t a common experience for gay persons at that time, but Joan ensured we were welcomed and treated as equals within the broader community. My husband and I soon became friends with John as well, and we mourned with Joan when John passed in 2013. For the nearly 20 following years, Joan was our chosen family here in Lincoln. Together, we enjoyed many lunches, leisure moments, and too many laughs to count. Always sharp and with a keen wit to match, Joan loved discussing current events and all things intellectual. And through it all, Joan personified love, true acceptance of all, and a kindness rarely seen in this world. Joan, dear friend, you are truly missed, but your legacy lives on. Thank you for being part of our lives and for allowing us the honor to be part of yours. May your memory be forever a blessing. Love always, Charles Coley and Jeff Lusk

– Charles Coley and Jeff Lusk

April 21, 2024

Joan and I sold real estate together at Woods Bros in the 90’s. Joan was wonderful to work with and so professional. We laughed and had a good time at many office gatherings and meetings. A great woman. A good friend.