2024 Grand Marshall
Wayne & Marlene Sampson
Wayne Sampson was raised in Fruitland Valley and was a 12 year Columbia High School graduate and participated in football, basketball, and baseball. He was also part of the riding club in high school too. Later, after marriage, he also coached and played on the men’s town basketball team.
Marlene (Beck) Sampson was raised in Daisy and attended her first 8 years of school at the old Waterloo Grade School. Marlene met Wayne in 1955 when she transferred to Columbia High School her freshman year. Marlene played volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, and was Hunters Fair Queen in 1956 and 1958. They graduated in 1959 and got married two weeks later on June 14, 1959 as high school sweethearts. They have celebrated many of their anniversaries farming together in their fields, and have watched 5 generations graduate from Columbia High School.
Wayne and Marlene have lived in Stevens County their whole life. They chose to plant their roots together in Stevens county, have four kids Dave, Loretta, Kevin, and Gregg, and raise cattle and for many years they also raised saddle horses. In 1966, they bought their own farm land in Cedonia, and throughout the years have purchased more farm land and leased several thousands of acres where they farmed and ran cattle with their three boys. Wayne worked in the woods off and on from 1962-1993 and he owned his own logging truck. While logging he still tended to the farming and cattle in the evenings and weekends, with all the families help. Wayne and Marlene raised their own cattle, hay and grain crops. Marlene took care of the home, kids, and the garden, and prepared for the long winters by canning and freezing their garden’s crops. She sewed clothes for their family, she loved riding her horses and would ride to check the cows while Wayne was at work. Although their lives were busy they made time to take their family to church where Wayne served many years on the church board. They chose to raise their family to not to focus on the outward appearance, but to be centered by the grace of God.
In 1993, Wayne retired from logging and started ranching full time. That same year they were also Stevens County Cattlemen of the year. They got first and second place on their yearlings and cows several years, as well as Grand Champion at the Spokane Livestock Auction. Wayne and Marlene still own cattle and farm. Just like most farmers they went through difficult times, but the Lord saw them through those times. Through the years they have been blessed many times. In June they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They have 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
2023 PAST GRAND MARSHALLS
Dan & Linda Somerlott
PAST GRAND MARSHALLS
