Sandra Hope Carns

Sandra “Sandy” Hope Carns, 79, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, passed away on September 12, 2020 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She was born in Lancaster, Wisconsin on December 5, 1940 to Adolf and Elinor (Salis) Buss. Sandy was one of 6 children. She grew up in Lancaster, WI and went to Lancaster High School. Sandy and George T. Carns “Ted” married on January 3, 1958. They had a very fulfilled life together. Sandy was a homemaker and raised 6 kids with George. They lived in Wisconsin until 1990 when George took early retirement from John Deere.

After retirement, they moved to New Mexico with their three youngest children and made that their home for the next thirty years. The love she had for her family and friends was her life’s work.  She took great pride in being an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Together George and Sandy Carns had 10 grandchildren (Jenni, Justin, David, Sara, Tanner, Cullen, Syd, Gene, Dean and Jasmine) and 5 great grandchildren (Summer, Gavin, Lincoln, Everleigh and Daniel).

Sandy had other passions as well. She loved gardening, cooking, canning and bird watching. She had a passion for vitamins and natural healing. She was very knowledgeable about vitamins, herbs and teas and how they worked in healing naturally. She continued educating herself throughout the years with medical journals, magazines and books. Sandy was also a terrific seamstress and enjoyed helping others with her talent. Nature was another great love and she went on many adventures with her family, sharing her love of the outdoors with those around her.  She had a special interest in rocks and minerals. Many of which ended up in her collection!

Sandy was a devout Jehovah’s Witness for over 65 years. She was active in the Desert Hills Congregation in Alamogordo, New Mexico for 30 years. She enjoyed telling others about her beliefs and had great compassion for people.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband George T. Carns, son Marcus Alan Carns, father Adolf Buss, mother Elinor (Salis) Buss, brother LaDell “Buzzy” Buss, brother Stephen Buss, brother Gary Buss and sister-in-law Sheila Buss, and sister Gloria Pauley and brother-in-law Jim Pauley.

Survivors include brother David Buss and sister-in-law Diane Buss of Potosi, WI, and sister-inlaw Dalrene Buss (married to LaDell Buss) of Potosi. Surviving children, daughter Joni Marie Carns of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Mike Theodore Carns and spouse Pam Carns of Janesville, Wisconsin, Shelly Carns of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Mary Ellen (Carns) Bateman and spouse Steve Bateman of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Jeremy Jay Carns and spouse Tere Cruz Carns of Platteville, Wisconsin. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Barbara Cupp (Carns) of Platteville, Wisconsin, brother-in-law Gus Carns and wife Sharon Henthorn Carns of Platteville, Wisconsin and by many nephews and nieces.

A small family graveside service will be held at a later date per Sandra H. Carns’ wishes.

The Carns family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel.

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