Samara Hankes, 44
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 1 hour, 30 minutes AGO
Hankes
In Loving Memory of Samara Marie Hankes
Dec. 14, 1981 — Oct. 6, 2026
Samara Marie Hankes was a beautiful soul whose life was defined by kindness, love, and an extraordinary devotion to the people around her. Born on Dec. 14, 1981, in Titusville, Fla., Samara touched the lives of those who knew her through her gentle heart, selflessness, and the genuine love she gave so freely.
Samara was always thinking of others, continually putting their needs before her own. Her beauty was undeniable, but what made her truly extraordinary was the beauty of her heart. She had a way of making the people she loved feel cared for, valued, and important.
Above all else in this world, Samara loved being a wife and mother. Her family was the center of her life, and the love she gave them was immeasurable. She was a devoted wife to her husband, Rod Kolonich, and a loving mother to her three children, Azalea Virtue, T-Rex Hankes, and Gogo Hankes. The love she poured into her family is a lasting part of her legacy, one that will continue through her children and the lives she touched.
Samara was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her faith was an important part of her life, and her memory will be cherished in the hope and comfort found in Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal families.
Though her passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in the hearts of those who love her, the love Samara gave does not end with her life. It remains in the memories she created, in the family she cherished, and in the countless ways her kindness made the world a better place. Her husband and children will carry her love with them always.
“Families can be together forever.”
Survived by: Her husband, Rod Kolonich; and her three children, Azalea Virtue, T-Rex Hankes, and Gogo Hankes.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 23, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pinehurst, Idaho. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting with arrangements. www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.