IN LIEU OF FLOWERS please consider donations in Sam's memory for the family to use at their discretion.
Sam Nissen, age 27 of Sac City, IA, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 21, 2025, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Her time with us was a whirlwind of light and laughter, and though it was far too short, she packed a lifetime of adventure into her 27 years. She leaves behind a loving family, a trail of incredible memories and countless friends who were lucky enough to join her for the ride.
Samantha Ann Nissen was born on March 28, 1998, to parents Wayne and Heather (Boeckman) in Manning, IA. She attended East Sac County Schools and graduated with the class of 2016 from East Sac County High School. Sam then attended Iowa Central Community College from which she obtained her Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. She was employed as a pharmacy tech at Community Pharmacy in Sac City before going to work as a physical therapy tech at Loring Hospital, where she was currently working.
Sam was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she was baptized at on May 2, 1998, and confirmed at on April 1, 2012.
She was a big sister to Ethan and Haylee, and loved them fiercely. Her family meant the world to her and she loved time spent with all of them. She was great at having a come-back to everything and loved joking around with everyone. Sam loved all things PICKLES, seriously, pickle flavored anything! She adored her dog, Kaiser, who she always had with her.
Sam loved life. Whether she was at a concert singing at the top of her lungs, just hanging out with friends, gathered with family, or enjoying time at the racetrack, she did all things with such joy and excitement. She had a love for country music; lyrics and melodies often becoming the soundtrack to her happiest moments. To Sam, life was meant to be lived in the moment; she embraced every second with that fearless joy that inspired everyone around her. She showed us that fun isn’t something you wait for- it’s something you create. She will be remembered not only for her love of FUN, but for the way she loved people and was always there for them. She had a heart that welcomed everyone and had friends far and wide. Let her spirit remind us to live boldly, laugh loudly, love deeply, and hold onto the people and moments that matter most.
Those left to cherish her memory include her parents, Heather Boeckman of Sac City, IA, and Wayne Nissen of Wall Lake, IA; sister Haylee Nissen of Sac City, IA; grandparents Colleen Nissen of Wall Lake, IA, Terri Boeckman of Wall Lake, IA, and Allen and Sandy Boeckman of Lake View, IA; great-grandmother Gracie Wollesen; aunts and uncles: Becky Friedrichsen of Wall Lake, IA, Connie and Ken Severson of Nemaha, IA, Steve Nissen of Wall Lake, IA, Andy and Brook Boeckman of Sac City, IA, Josh and Ashley Hanke of Schleswig, IA, and Jenna and Jerrid Frank of Breda, IA; many cousins, extended family members, friends, and her beloved dog Kaiser.
Sam was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Ethan (2017); grandfather Glenn Nissen; great-grandparents Danny Wollesen, Edward and Ida Nissen, Cleo “Bud” and Bernice Robinson, Walter Quandt, Eugene and Pat Boeckman; and uncle Neal Friedrichsen.
