Samantha K. “Sam” Bieno

PORTAGE  --  Samantha K. “Sam” Bieno, age 22, of Portage, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at her home. She was surrounded by her loving family. 

Sam was born on April 15, 1992 in Portage, the daughter of David and Jennifer (Jarocki) Bieno.  She was a 2010 graduate of Portage High School.  Sam had attended UW-Whitewater, UW-Baraboo, and was currently a junior at UW-LaCrosse, working towards a degree as a Child Life Specialist.  She had worked at Portage Cleaners.

Sam is survived by her parents, David and Jennifer Bieno;  her brother, Josh (Katie) Bieno;  her sister, Nicole Bieno; her maternal grandparents, Richard and Katherine Jarocki;  many other relatives and close friends.  She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Irvin and Anne Bieno.

Her family would like to recognize with heartfelt gratitude the wonderful support and care she received from Divine Savior Healthcare, UW Hospital unit B6/6 hematology and oncology, and most importantly Neal Wendt.  Neal is a kind and selfless soul who gave his stem cells to give Sam another chance at life. His cells were life giving and we are so grateful.  Meeting Neal and his family was the highlight of her life over the last 3 years. There are so many doctors and nurses to thank we cannot list them all, but they know who they are, and Sam told them that she was grateful all the time.  Sam and her family are also thankful to the organizers of her benefit in 2014, and the community who turned out for her benefit.  This allowed Sam to take some things off of her bucket list and to offset medical costs of care. 

A celebration of Sam’s life will be held at 1 pm on May 9, 2015, at Pauquette Park in Portage.  Inurnment will be private.  Friends and family will gather at 1pm and there will be a musical tribute, food and games at the park. People may come and go as they please. Sam’s request was for no one to wear dark clothing.  They must wear bright colors or nerdy costumes. Sam asked that those attending bring a picture of Sam if you have one and be willing to put it on her life board.  There will also be a memory jar, where she would ask that you write down your best memory of the time you spent with Sam.  

In honor of Samantha, please perform random acts of kindness on her birthday, April 15.  Please tell your recipient of kindness they have been “Sammed”.  To see other events planned for Sam’s birthday, please see our website, www.pmmfh.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Be The Match, 3001 Broadway Street N.E., Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN  55413-1753, the national bone donor registry. Leukemia took Sam’s life but it could never break her spirit or her loving and kind personality.  Sam always thought of others before she thought of herself, even in times of adversity. In your short life you were a shining example of inner beauty and maturity beyond your years. Thank you for being a beacon of light to so many.