Sandra Farnsworth

Sandra A. Farnsworth, age 79 of Adair, Iowa, died at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center, Iowa on Saturday, October 16, 2021.

Sandra Ann Gaines was born on December 21, 1941, in Watson, Missouri, the daughter of I.B. and Evangeline Burke Gaines. She graduated from Watson High School in 1959. Sandy graduated from Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri with a degree in education and completed some graduate courses at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri.

Sandy began her teaching career at Uehling High School in Uehling, Nebraska, from 1964-1966. In 1966, Sandy moved to Adair to teach business courses at Adair-Casey High School. She married Paul Farnsworth on August 5, 1967, in Rock Port, Missouri. Sandy taught at Adair-Casey until 1970 when she chose to stay home to raise her family. In 1982, Sandy began working in the Social Services department at the Adair Community Health Center and remained employed there until her retirement in 2005.

Sandy enjoyed garage sales, auctions, antiques, decorating, reading, and watching sports and television shows. She loved her family and spending time with them. Sandy was proud of her Missouri roots and enjoyed going “down-home” to Watson.

Sandy was an active member of the Adair Women’s Club, the Festival of Trees committee, the Adair United Methodist Church, and the Adair United Methodist Women. She loved attending community events and celebrations.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, I.B. and Vange Gaines; her husband, Paul; her brother, Tony Gaines; her sisters, Mae Jane Gaines and Betty Haun; and her niece, Kathy Sitz.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Alan (Crystal) Farnsworth of Adair; daughters Ann (Alex) Gerhards of Des Moines and Megan Farnsworth of Adair; grandchildren Erin (Nick) Daniel of Jefferson, Iowa, Dustin (Jenni) Farnsworth of Adair, and Blake Gerhards of Des Moines; great-grandchildren Lucas, Ethan, and Levi Daniel and Rylie, Everly, Jovi, and Trace Farnsworth; sisters-in-law Sharon Gaines of Rock Port, Missouri, and Gladys Farnsworth Kading of Adair; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and lifelong friends.

Memorial service will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at United Methodist Church in Adair with Rev. Charlene Wolfe officiating. Burial will follow at the Sunny Hill Cemetery in Adair. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, from 5 pm until 7 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa.

Memorials can be made to either the Adair Library or to United Methodist Church in Adair and can be left or mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home at P.O. Box 523 - Atlantic, IA 50022

The staff at Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair, IA is handling the arrangements for the Farnsworth Family. Condolences may be left at www.schmidtfamilyfuneralhomes.com.