Sandra Sue "Sandy" Bumgarner

Sandra Sue Bumgarner, known affectionately as Sandy to her friends and loved ones, embarked on her final, grand adventure on May 16, 2025, leaving behind a legacy filled with laughter, generosity, and an enviable collection of shopping bags. Born on November 23, 1951, in McPherson, Kansas, she grew up to be the kind of person who lit up the room not only with her presence but also with her brightly colored shopping totes.

She is preceded in death by her parents Fred and Vera Renchler, and her Brother Jerry Renchler.

Sandy graduated from Highland Park in '69, wearing the era's iconic fashion with a flair that only she could muster. After high school, she didn't just work at Blue Cross Blue Shield; she became a part of its very fabric, retiring with as many accolades as she had shoes – and that's saying something. Her colleagues remember her not just for her dedication, but for her legendary conversations.

But work was just one part of Sandy's life. Her true passion was her family and friends, including her beloved husband, Jim Bumgarner, who was her partner in both life and in the adventures they shared. Her daughter, Jessica (Chris) Christie, and her grandchildren, Reagan (Ryan) Weber, Trenton Henery, and Jaxson Christie, were the apples of her eye, each spoiled in the most loving way, with Yaya always ready to slip them some extra dessert or a twenty-dollar bill when their parents weren't looking.

Sandy was the queen of the TKQMA Racetrack, where she brought as much excitement to the stands as the racers did to the track. She loved Branson, Missouri, not just for its entertainment, but for its memories it held to her and her family.

In the great tradition of the friendliest and most generous, Sandy never missed an opportunity to brighten someone's day.

Now, in the style of a comedian, because Sandy would have wanted us to laugh as much as we cried, let's remember a quote from the legendary Phyllis Diller that Sandy embodied so well: "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight." And straighten things out she did, with her infectious laugh and a sense of humor that could turn a Monday into a Friday.

As we bid farewell to Sandy, let's honor her memory by living as she did—with kindness, a hearty laugh, and maybe an extra trip to the mall. Sandy Bumgarner, you will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Your legacy will live on in the stories we share, the smiles you brought us, and in every bargain found in a clearance rack. Keep them laughing wherever you are and save us a seat at the comedy show in the sky.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 1:00 pm untiil 4:00 PM at The Woodshed Event Center, 1901 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66608