Peter Leonard Samens

Pete, with his wife Kathy at his bedside, entered Eternal Life on April 10, 2019, at the age of 67. Following a life-altering motorcycle accident on September 24, 2006, he endured much pain with his disabilities. But through that pain, he also felt tremendous pride at seeing his children Ryan (Maria Raya) and Stephanie (Matthew Repke) begin their careers, start their families, and make him a grandpa to Taryn, Maxwell, Ava and Derek, and step-grandpa to Scott and Steven. In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Pete is survived by sisters Lois Roseberry and Mary Lee (Albert) Fremstad, Uncle Lee (Jackie) Hepfler, mother-in-law Lorraine Retzlaff, and brothers-in-law James (Mae) and Curt (Wendy) Retzlaff. He will be missed by many special nieces, nephews and cousins. Pete grew up in Bloomer, WI, the son of Leonard and Esther Samens. He worked at several newspapers following his graduation from UW-Eau Claire with a degree in Journalism. After his marriage to Kathy (nee Retzlaff), they made their home and started their family in Hartland, WI. His passion for putting the customer first helped him excel in various sales and management positions throughout his career. At the time of his accident, he was a partner in a marketing firm in Wauwatosa, WI - truly his “dream job”. His other passion was Harley Davidson motorcycles. To help relieve pain after his accident, we encouraged him to remember “his happy place” - riding his motorcycle to Sturgis, SD, with sun on his face and the wind in his hair. The family wishes to thank the staff at Shorehaven Health and Rehabilitation, VITAS hospice and the many caregivers and therapists who worked with Pete over the years to make his life as comfortable and rewarding as possible. There will be a visitation/memorial service in the chapel at Shorehaven Health and Rehabilitation, 1305 W. Wisconsin Ave, Oconomowoc, WI, on Saturday, April 27th. Visitation will be from 11 am - 1 pm, with the memorial service beginning 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations, if desired, would be welcomed to the following: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Building Fund, 415 W. Capital Dr, Hartland, WI 53029, The Milwaukee Rescue Mission, www.milmisson.org, or to the family for distribution to other charitable causes.