Berner, Sandra Jean

MARION - Sandra Jean Berner departed this mortal life Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, in the Marion, Iowa, home of her niece, Susan Ketelsen, and Susan's husband, Kim. Sandie barely reached five feet, one inch but she was a pugnacious warrior.

She had fought bravely against breast cancer since 1986 and enjoyed very many good years, a testament to her will and a positive message to those facing similar trials. True to her giving nature, Sandie offered moral support and helpful information to numerous others through the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program.

Sandie was born Dec. 14, 1937, in Monticello, Iowa, to Treva Beard Musgrove and Irvin Musgrove. She grew up in nearby Anamosa, a small town that typified mid-1900s America. Sandie graduated from Anamosa High School, then went to Morningside College for a year. In 1960, she received her B.A. from the University of Iowa, majoring in education with a minor in music.

In 1960, Sandie moved to Minneapolis, Minn., where she taught elementary school for two years. In 1962, she journeyed to Los Alamos, N.M. There she was a teacher for 33 years, at Pinon Elementary and at Mountain Elementary. The people, history and natural splendor of New Mexico captured Sandie's heart, a passion she shared with family and friends.

Sandie participated in light opera and little theatre. She was a founding member of the Sangre de Cristo Chorale and sang with the Chorale through last season. She was active in the United Church of Los Alamos, a living expression of her faith. She enjoyed friends, gardening, singing, cooking, travel, reading, college basketball and a hearty glass of Two Buck Chuck. And she corrected bad grammar wherever she encountered it.

Surviving are her sisters, Carol Leggett of Henderson, Nev., and Janyce Fellendorf of Vancouver, Canada; niece, Shelley Belingheri (Joe) of Henderson, Nev.; nephew, Kevin Leggett (Robin) of Neodesha, Kan.; niece, Susan Ketelsen (Kim) of Marion, Iowa; and her nieces, TJ and Tracy, and nephew, Tom, all of Canada.

Sandie was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Berner; parents, Treva and Irvin Musgrove; brother, Dean Musgrove; niece, Kris Clark; and nephew, Steve Fellendorf.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at United Church of Los Alamos, with Pastor Kathleen Logan and Pastor Keith Lewis officiating. The Sangre de Cristo Chorale will sing in loving tribute. Sandie's cremains will be laid to rest at 1 p.m. that day at the United Church columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Instead of spoken remembrances at the memorial service, written tributes are welcomed and as many as possible will be read aloud. To leave a remembrance of Sandie, go to: and enter her name in the “search” box to find a link to her page.