Carol A Samway

Carol Anne Samway was called to her heavenly home Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the age of 88.

Carol was born June 19, 1937, in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Walter and Irene (Meyer) Reher. Carol attended District 74 Elementary School, Trinity Lutheran School, and graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1954. She knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church.

After graduation, Carol worked at Greenberger’s Mens Clothing Store. Her future husband, Larry Samway, also worked there. They spent work breaks together, across the street at the soda fountain in Hested’s five-and-dime store. They were married on January 26, 1958. With wedding gifts in the backseat, they moved to North Platte and started their family. In 1965, they moved to McCook. Carol always enjoyed working and had many interesting occupations. In 1981, she and Larry purchased McCook Floor Covering on Norris Avenue. In 1997, they built a new store on Highway 83 and changed the name to Samway Floor Covering & Furniture. This was the fulfillment of a dream they shared. Larry and Carol were married for 42 years until Larry’s passing on November 23, 1999. Carol was an integral part of growing the store and continued to work there until the age of 86.

Carol spent countless summer evenings at the ballpark watching Larry play fast pitch softball. On weekends, they enjoyed camping at the area lakes, eventually choosing Cambridge Lake as their summer spot. Weekends spent there with family and friends were some of her favorite memories. Cornhusker football was another favorite pastime, and Carol loved going to Lincoln and cheering on the Huskers! She remembered when you could only listen to the games on the radio, and how exciting it was when the games started being televised! She also loved the Husker volleyball team and tried to watch every game.

Carol liked to travel and was able to visit 47 states and 15 countries. She enjoyed bus trips to Denver, Omaha, and Lincoln to attend musicals and plays. But she was always glad to be home and felt it was the best place to be. Carol had great love for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her most precious times were when she could be involved in their activities, and she rarely missed an event. She was a great listener and had a gift for encouragement. She will be remembered as a fun-loving, bling-loving Grandma! Carol was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran church for many years. She taught vacation bible school, coached softball, and belonged to several bridge clubs. She made a lot of friends playing bridge and valued those friendships.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; parents, Walter and Irene; parents-in-law, Fred and Evelyn Samway; brother, Paul Reher; sister, Doris Robinson; brothers-in-law, Jim Samway, Ronald Robinson and Lloyd Fulton; sisters-in-law, Nancy Johnson and Eileen Samway.

Those left to celebrate her life include her children, Becky (Ken) Meyers, Darrin (Angie) Samway all of McCook, and Kathy (James) Uerling of Indianola; grandchildren, Paul Uerling, Morgan (Daniel) Arp, Kaylee (Nick) Wiemers, Kacee (Tyson) Karr all of McCook, and Kori Uerling of Lincoln; step grandson, Matt Uerling of Omaha; great grandchildren, Madilyn Wiemers, Millie Wiemers, and Boone Karr all of McCook; step great grandsons, Tyler Uerling and Nate Uerling of Fremont; sister, Lavonne Fulton of Buena Vista, CO; brothers-in-law, Charles (Sharon) Samway of Sterling, CO, Dennis (Pat) Samway of Elwood, Lynn Johnson of Grand Island, and part of the family, Larry Kosmicki of St. Libory; sister-in-law, Bev Reher of Titusville, FL; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Carol's favorite charities: St. Judes Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s, Memphis, TN 38105; Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 78516, Topeka, KS 66675; Boys Town, PO Box 5000, Boys Town, NE 68010; OR Miriam's Hope, 1875 1300th Road, Oberlin, KS 67749.