Samuel "Sam" John Taylor Harmening

Samuel "Sam" John Taylor Harmening

Cedar Rapids

Samuel “Sam” John Taylor Harmening, 53, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024, after a long, courageous battle with cancer, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will greet friends from 12 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa, with a memorial service beginning at 2 p.m. The Reverend Sean Smith will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.

Sam was born on July 5, 1970, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Steven John and Kathleen “Kate” Faye (Taylor) Harmening. In 1988, he earned the highest rank in Boy Scouting, becoming an Eagle Scout. Sam was a 1989 graduate of Kennedy High School and attended Kirkwood Community College. He graduated from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he received a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries. Sam owned Harmening Construction, framing for housing, from 1989 until 2007. He then changed career paths, becoming a Signal Maintainer for the Union Pacific Railroad, until his medical retirement in 2021.

On November 20, 2023, Sam was united in marriage to Caroline “Carrie” Ann Davis. He enjoyed cooking for his family and traveling. Sam loved hunting, fishing, golfing, and working on cars. Sam, together with his parents and son, Lucas, restored a 1958 Corvette. He was very talented and a gifted craftsman. Sam was very giving and always willing to lend a helping hand. There wasn’t anything he didn’t know how to fix or make. Sam will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Sam is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Carrie Harmening of Cedar Rapids; son, Lucas Harmening of Waterloo, Iowa; daughters, Lillian “Lily” Harmening, and Ella Harmening both of Cedar Rapids; father, Steven Harmening of Marion; three sisters, Lisa (Michael) Kellison of Marion, Susan (Adrian Gomez) Harmening of Lake Linganore, Maryland, and Sheryl (Michael) Swanson of Marion; three nieces and one nephew, Jenny (Jason) Levelle of Cedar Rapids, Kathleen Harmening-Gomez, Steven Harmening-Gomez both of Lake Linganore, and Elizabeth Swanson of Marion; several great nieces and great nephews; his faithful companions, his beloved dogs, Jake and Moose; and a host of many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Kate Harmening; and nephew Kyle Kellison.

Please share a memory of Sam at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.