Samantha Havenner, 20, West Haven, Utah left us far too early, on the evening of Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Samantha "Sam" Havenner was born on January 28, 2004, to parents Jennifer and Charles Havenner and her brother Thomas, in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Sam enjoyed traveling the world with her family during her dad's 25+ year enlistment with the US Air Force.  She lived around the globe including Rapid City, South Dakota, Okinawa, Japan, San Antonio, Texas, Ramstein, Germany, Omaha, Nebraska, and West Haven, Utah.  Sam also traveled to many locations around the globe where she was able to learn about different cultures and enjoy beautiful scenery.  She made friends everywhere she went.

Sam graduated high school in 2022 while living in Rapid City, South Dakota, and had recently begun college courses.  She was seeking a bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management with plans to create an amazing life with her daughter, Rory, and fulfill her dreams in the equestrian world.

Sam was a natural-born equestrian who practiced her craft every chance she had, training with multiple horses and even owning two of her own. She began riding horses in San Antonio at the age of 7 and carried that love with her across the globe.  Sam was always quick to impress her friends and family with her knowledge of horses and horse care, often selflessly putting her horses and her friend's horses' well-being above her own. She was the lucky winner of her first horse, Maverick, through a drawing.  Not too long after she acquired her second horse, Presley, a young buckskin who Sam had begun training just this past year. Sam was always ready to train, rain or shine, snow or mud. Her empathy and care for both people and animals were easily felt and observed by those who knew her.

Sam gave birth to her beautiful daughter Lorelei "Rory" who was welcomed into the family with an abundance of love and joy. Rory was Sam's proudest achievement, and she was absolutely in love with her infectious smile and giggles. Sam, Rory, and Jen were the greatest of shopping buddies and were always together looking for Rory's next outfit for her many dozens of photo shoots.

In March of 2023, Sam moved to the Salt Lake City area with her parents and lived in the West Haven Community. Sam worked at Smith & Edwards as a retail sales associate in the equine tack and western department.  She enjoyed spending time working somewhere related to her passion for horses and equestrian sports.

Sam loved to spend time with her family any chance that she had.  She especially loved when she would get to spend time with her big brother, Tommy.  With him joining the military in 2020 she didn't get to see him often but cherished the times she got to see him.  While he was away, she enjoyed sending him random messages and joining phone calls.  She adored him and looked up to him.

Sam will be remembered for her caring heart, her passion for horses, her fierce love for her family, and her unmatched love for baby Rory. Her smile and legacy will last on through her daughter and be remembered and cherished by her mother, Jen; father, Charles; brother, Thomas, and the many friends and family members on whom she made a lasting imprint. Her loss is felt far and wide, but especially in the hearts of those whom she called family.

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