Leona Jane Sampe, 87, passed away at Amery Willow Ridge Healthcare on July 26, 2025.

She was born to David and Grace (Reeves) McKinley in 1937, near Traer, IA. Surrounded by Irish family, Jane’s early years were spent helping siblings and her many cousins, to read and write. She was THE born teacher as soon as she mastered kindergarten.

Due to David’s asthma, he moved the family to Siren, WI, where they farmed many more years. Jane attended Siren High School before studying Elementary Education at UW – River Falls. Her Siren principal asked her to start the first kindergarten in Siren in 1961. After teaching in Siren for five years, Jane married Fred Sampe; they had two daughters, Jill and Kristin. They moved to Luck where Jane became a favorite kindergarten teacher until she retired after 27 years.

An avid fan of the Packers, Jane had her dog Reggie White as a companion for several years. She attended Packer Training Camp and enjoyed Packers Partners Club of Champions fellowship whenever it was possible.

Jane was an active member of her church in Wisconsin and Illinois: teaching Sunday School, attending Bible Study, or hosting a potluck, she was always ready to sign up. Her philanthropy included the Luck Library and Museum, as well as a crisis line for women and a divorce support group, where she volunteered her time and talents. Jane had a lovely singing voice; wherever God placed her, she loved to praise her Lord and Savior.

Not a stranger to caregiving herself, she and her siblings assisted their parents as they aged. When her granddaughters Ruth and Julie came along, she moved to the Chicago area to help her daughter’s family.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, David and Rose McKinley; her daughter, Kristin Rudi; and her granddaughter, Ruth Upadhyaya. She is survived by her brother, Allen McKinley; sisters, Joyce Glover, Daisy McKinley and Myrna Bistram; daughter, Jill Upadhyaya; granddaughter, Julie Upadhyaya; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family.

A visitation will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Falun (23661 Range Line Rd, Siren, WI 54872). The funeral service will follow at 2:00pm. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery Mud Hen Lake.

Last Update: Aug 12, 2025 7:32 am CDT