Who Was April Sampson?

April Sampson was born February 18, 1950, to Corinne and Dale Crossgrove, in Lincoln, Nebraska. April and her younger brother, Dennis, grew up in Lincoln in the Near South neighborhood. Her father owned a service station and car lot on 27th Street, and her mother was a homemaker.

April and John

April graduated from Lincoln High School in 1968 and the University of Nebraska in 1972. She married her high school sweetheart, John Sampson, in 1972, the day after the couple’s college graduation. April and John were an inseparable pair, sharing life together through high school, college and 44 years of marriage.

Local Floral and Gift Shop Owner

April had a floral and gift store, Sampsons, for over 25 years in Lincoln. She had a wonderful sense of style, was artistic and creative, and enjoyed decorating and floral design. In the early years, Sampsons was located in Rathbone Village and was primarily a flower shop. After 20 years in the floral business, April shifted away from flowers to home accessories and relocated the store to 70th and Pioneers.

In addition to her own career in retail, April was a behind-the-scenes supporter of John’s leadership of Sampson Construction. The couple owned the company together, and she supported his career and the growth of the business in many ways.

Arabian Horses

John and April had one daughter, Cori. As a family, they enjoyed Cori’s involvement in youth sports, as well as competing with their Arabian horses. April was the president of the Arabian Horse Association of Nebraska, a delegate to the national convention, and served on the board of the Arabian Reining Horse Association. April’s involvement in the horse community resulted in many cherished memories and friendships.

Travel and Entertaining

She loved traveling, especially to the lake in Minnesota, or her home in Scottsdale. She and John would often host their grandkids for overnight or trips to their cabin. She and some friends created a book club which transformed a few acquaintances into a band of lifelong close-knit friends. The book club continues to this day well past its 30-year anniversary. April loved to open her homes to guests and host parties and celebrations. She was an avid reader, appreciative of the arts and – most of all – enjoyed time with her family. She hosted an annual Easter egg hunt, a millennium party and several other special gatherings. She could make any holiday or occasion special; she always made everyone feel welcome.

Breast Cancer

April’s journey with cancer began when she was 29. She was treated for breast cancer and successfully went into remission, some even called her cured. However, several decades later, in her 50s, she developed a different type of breast cancer. She fought this one throughout the rest of her life, which ended at age 66. She was very private about her battle with the disease, seldom spoke of it and fought it with bravery and grace. April passed away on September 7, 2016.

Leaving a Legacy

In 2020, the Sampson family donated 29 acres of scenic, undeveloped land in south Lincoln, which is now the home of the cancer center in April’s name. Sampson Construction managed construction of the facility, which opened in 2024.