Samantha Leigh (Anderson) Shaw

Samantha L. Shaw, age 48, of Hayward, WI passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at her home.

Samantha Leigh was born July 13, 1975, in Austin, MN the daughter of Allard and Linda (Erikson) Anderson.  She was raised in Hayfield, MN where she graduated from high school in 1993.  She attended Rochester Community Technical College where she studied to be a Chiropractic Technician.  After her schooling, Sam worked for a chiropractic clinic in Hayfield, MN.  Through his sister-in-law, Samantha was introduced to Jamie Shaw.  Samantha and Jamie were joined in marriage on November 20, 1999, in Owatonna, MN.  Samantha continued working as a chiropractic technician while they lived in Owatonna.  Sam and Jamie then moved to Iowa for two years where Sam worked for an insurance company.  They moved back to Owatonna where Sam went to work for Federated Insurance in data entry.  In 2008, Sam and Jamie decided to move to Hayward, WI to raise their two boys, Jakob and Seth.  The family found an amazing location on the Chippewa Flowage to call home.  Sam focused on her boys until they were both attending school and then she began working several part time jobs.  In 2014, Sam began work at the Hayward Funeral Home where she assisted in caring for families in the community.  Sam was an extremely giving person who was always thinking of others.  She loved crocheting a blanket or making a teddy bear for a family member or friend, cooking or baking someone their favorite dish or dessert, or finding a special gift to brighten up a friend’s day.  She always had a personal connection with and love for all her nieces and nephews.  She also enjoyed reading, watching movies, taking pictures and spending time at the lake.  Sam inherited her mother’s contagious, and sometime loud, laugh as well as her ability to speak her mind.  Sam was a member of a walking group, book club, and First Lutheran Church where she served on the church board and made communion bread.  Her mischievous sense of humor and wit was always present.  Her family knows no one who loved bacon more than Sam.  Even through two cancer battles, she always remained positive and was still thinking of others. 

Sam is survived by her husband Jamie; two sons, Jakob (Ana Kanzler) Shaw and Seth Shaw, both of Hayward; two siblings, AJ (Shelly) Anderson of Hayfield, MN, and Bev (Mick) O’Connor of Austin, MN; mother-in-law, Cheryl Shaw of North Mankato, MN; brothers in law, Cory (Kathy) Shaw of Faribault, MN, Josh (Elise) Shaw of Hayward; sister-in-law, Corrina (Joe) Fuller of Katy, TX; nieces and nephews, Sidney, Benjamin, Michael, Mason, Cody, Kameron, Kyle, Isaac, Levi, Joseph and Emersyn.

She was preceded in death by her parents and Father-In-Law Jim Shaw.

A memorial service celebrating Sam’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Hayward with Pastor Joel Bacon officiating.  A time of gathering with family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22nd at the Hayward Funeral Home and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to support breast cancer research or the donor's choice.

The family requests that if you were blessed with a blanket from Sam that you would bring it to the funeral home or church for it to be displayed for the gathering.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.