Harry Samways

Harry E. Samways, 97, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester.

Harry was born in Duluth, Minn., on Feb. 9, 1918, to Frederick and Grace (Richter) Samways. After graduating from high school in Duluth, he completed an electrical program at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis. He then accepted a service technician job with IBM in Kansas City, Mo., where he met his future wife, Jeanne, who was also employed by IBM. After U.S. Army service in the Philippines and Japan during World War II, Harry returned to work at IBM in Kansas City. He and Jeanne married on Nov. 9, 1946.

Harry and his family moved to Rochester in 1958 shortly after IBM opened its facility there. He retired from his job as a machine cost estimator at IBM in 1980.

Harry was a quiet, gentle man who loved spending time in the outdoors, especially camping and fishing in northern Minnesota. He was an avid cribbage player, and he and his wife enjoyed evenings dining and dancing with friends at the Elks Club and other venues. They were members of Community Presbyterian Church in Rochester and actively engaged in church functions.

Harry is survived by his children, Marsha (Penny Spence) Samways, of St. Paul, Stephen (Kathryn) Samways, of St. Paul, and Carol Helvig, of Kasson; his grandchildren Lacey Green, Alissa Green, and Taylor Helvig; and his sister Harriet Kessler, of Aurora, Colo. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Jeanne.

A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Community Presbyterian Church in Rochester. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Oakwood East Cemetery in Rochester.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, Rochester, ranfranzandvinefh.com.