Samidha Junghare passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of February 2nd, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was born in Austin, Texas, daughter of Indira & Yashwant Junghare and grew up in Lauderdale, MN.

While growing up in Minnesota, Samidha excelled in figure skating competitions and later, in her college years enjoyed professional team figure skating entertaining fans attending Minnesota North Stars hockey games. Not only did she figure skate, but she was active in many other sports including gymnastics, downhill and cross-country skiing, roller skating and was a swimmer and lifeguard.

She graduated from Ramsey High School in Roseville, MN. She went on to earn a B.S. degree in chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota. She began her career working for a pharmaceutical company in Chicago, IL as a fermentation manufacturing engineer making antibiotics for 7 years. She then switched companies and spent the next 3 years as a “puffed cereal systems engineer” making Cheerios in Atlanta, GA. She spent the rest of her fulfilling career as an engineer and leader in the water, energy and nutrient sector at Western Lake Superior Sanitary District in Duluth, MN. Water is life and Samidha made sure it was safe for everyone. While in Chicago, she met her husband, Mike Watson. They moved to Duluth to be closer to home and start a family. They raised two tenderhearted, humble and intelligent children, Meera and Nayan.

Samidha was, first and foremost, a family person and enjoyed many family activities and trips. She and Mike loved to camp, hike and attend comedy and music shows. Meera and Nayan were incredibly important to Samidha and she spent countless hours supporting their education and extracurricular activities, such as Meera’s dance and Nayan’s soccer. Wherever they went, they were accompanied by their dog, Oreo. Oreo will miss her best friend.

The family enjoyed year round outdoor recreation in Duluth and dedicated much of their time to exploring the world. They were particularly enamored with the natural beauty of the North Shore where they could fully harness their love for the outdoors and spend many nights enjoying each other’s company by the campfire. Wildlife and nature were especially important to Samidha. One would think she wouldn’t have time to relax at home, but Samidha also relished reading and as her friends know, she loved sitcoms, especially the “Golden Girls”.

She traveled extensively around the world and some of her favorite trips were to India, Costa Rica, South Africa, Romania, Sweden, Italy, Australia, Greece and England. In all her experiences, she developed lifelong relationships which she treasured. She easily developed deep connections and was a great friend to many. Entertaining friends and planning dinners was a joy for Samidha. Her family and friends will remember her as someone who had immense patience and was enthusiastic, active and deeply caring for family, friends and society. Her husband, children, mother and brother will miss her tireless, nurturing presence.

Samidha is preceded in death by her father, Yashwant Junghare. She is survived by her husband Mike, their children Meera and Nayan, her mother Indira Junghare, her brother Milind Junghare, Aunti Nalini Kokate, Uncle Suresh Junghare, Uncle Subhash Jadhav, and Aunti Gahukarna (Gahu) Jadhav, and a large family of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Education is very important to Samidha and her family. In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make donations to her children’s education. Meera is a Junior at the University of Minnesota, and Nayan is graduating high school this spring with plans to attend college in the fall. Gifts can be made at: https://everloved.com/life-of/samidha-junghare/obituary/.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 10th, 2pm- 6pm, at Pier B Resort Ballroom at 800 W Railroad St, Duluth, MN. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home in Duluth, Minnesota.