Samuel Bernard Puentes

July 19, 1944 – December 17, 2025

Samuel Bernard Puentes of Caldwell, Idaho was welcomed into our Lord God's kingdom on December 17, 2025. Sam passed peacefully in his sleep, in Nampa, Idaho with two of his sons and wife by his side. Sam was born in Poplar, Montana on the 19th of July of 1944 to Lilly Josephine Lambert and Bernardino Puentes who resided within the tribal nation of the Assiniboine Sioux of Fort Peck. Sam was raised on the banks of the mighty Missouri River where he learned to hunt and fish and was deeply rooted into the cultural ways of the Nakota and their ancestral heritage. Sam soon left Montana for Idaho with his family. He was raised with his sisters, Mildred, Reyna, Lisa and brothers Thomas, Paul, and Bernardino Jr. Sam went to Valley High School, and soon enlisted into the United States Army in August of 1963. While living in Jerome, Sam met his future wife, Susan in Twin Falls. They were married August 12, 1967. They welcomed their first daughter Charmaine on January 25, 1968. Sam, Sue and their baby girl soon found themselves residing in Hawthorn, California. Sam attended and graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. They welcomed their first son Samuel Jr., shortly after, Sam and his family moved back to Idaho. Here he joined the Idaho National Guard and became a helicopter crew-chief for the 116th ACR Air Troop. During this time Sam was involved in the search and rescue evacuation and humanitarian operations during the Teton dam break of 1976. Sam gained the rank of E-5 and finally retired in 2005. While residing in the Tresure Valley Sam and Sue welcome three more children, Son, Christopher; Son, Scott; and Daughter, Sancheen. The family relocated to Sand Hollow, Idaho and raised their children on the family farm. Sam was deeply involved with his children's sports activities at New Plymouth High School and the local community. Whether it was helping coach basketball or taking pictures for the local Red Apple Newspaper. Sam was a constant figure within New Plymouth athletics. During this time, he went to work for Hewlett-Packard in their inkjet division in Boise, Idaho.

Sam's greatest passions were his family, his cultural heritage and passing it along to his children; aviation, cars, and cheering for the Minnasota Vikings. Sam was deeply invested in sharing his native roots among the local communities. He could be caught helping or participating within any local Powwow. He was always tinkering with computers and technology.

Sam is proceeded in death by his parents Lilly and Bernardino; brothers, Thomas and Paul; daughter, Charmaine; niece, Angie and nephew, Steven.

Sam is survived by his wife, Susan; sons, Samuel Jr. (wife Margaret, children, Fitch and Katherine) of Newport News, Va.; Christopher (children Chelsey, Alicia, Savanna and Elianna) of Nampa, ID.; Scott (wife, Leslie; children Olivia, Sydney, Garret, Lillie, Chayton, Amelia and great grandson Elliott) of Nampa, ID.; daughter Sancheen (husband Pete, children Kaiya and Lucas) of Poulsbo, WA.; sisters, Mildred (children Tennille, Bridget, Paul) of Caldwell ID.; Reyna (children Kyle, Zack, Jake, Joseph) of New Plymouth, ID.; Lisa (children Kathleen and Micheal) of Caldwell, ID.; Bernardino Jr. (wife Lesleen, children Natasha and Breanna) of Jerome, ID.; and many nieces and nephews who he loved all dearly.

Sam was a pillar of the family and will be greatly missed. His family is comforted in knowing that he is finally at rest. Samuel is with his Lord, our God in Heaven with his welcoming family that passed before him.