A Brief Biography

Ruth Sampson celebrated her 100th birthday on September 1, 1998.

Born Ruth Ellsworth, in Kingsbury, Indiana, Ruth graduated from the American College of Physical Education.  For over 40 years she taught Physical Education in Chicago area schools. Many of those years were spent at Raster Elementary School on the Southside of Chicago.

Ruth married Sigurd Sampson in Chicago, Illinois on December 24, 1921. Sigurd Soeros Sampson was born in Vestnes, Romsdal, Norway on August 19, 1885.

During their years together, they traveled extensively in Western United States and Europe. Upon retiring, they moved to Covenant Village, where Ruth still lives today.

They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary during Christmas, 1971 at Covenant Village.  Sigurd passed away December 14, 1984, after a marriage of 63 years, just months shy of his own 100th birthday.

Joining Ruth at her birthday celebration were 40 relatives - nieces, nephews, and cousins - spanning five generations, and both coasts of the US.  We gathered together to pay some small tribute to a life that has touched us all.