Sandra Ethel Larcher

Sandra (Sandy) Ethel Bair Larcher | 28 October 1937-29 May 2024

On Wednesday, May 29, Sandy Larcher sat down with a full deck of cards and opened bidding for her first round of bridge at Heaven’s card table.

Sandy was born in Rupert, Idaho in 1937 to Vaughn and Florence Bair, and was the oldest of two girls (Flovon Frsythe / spouse, Don). She embraced life and lived it to the fullest. She loved fast cars, street racing them as a teenager with her friends or taking drives with a friend in his red Corvette in her later years. She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in numerous ways such as Relief Society President, teaching Sunday School, visiting teaching, and contributing to social gatherings by bringing food or helping decorate to create special, fun experiences.

Sandy was extremely talented and creative. She painted with oils and gold leaf, sewed, made flower arrangements and decorations that brought joy and fun to all occasions. Each season, her home was beautifully, meticulously decorated, especially around Christmastime when every room held something festive and special. She studied Interior Decorating for three years at Utah State University, where she met Rudy Larcher (1936-2016) and married him in 1960. She worked in several professional roles, finishing her career as manager of Departmental Charges at New Mexico State University. She was an avid reader and probably read thousands of books in her lifetime.

Sandy and Rudy moved to Las Cruces in 1961, where they settled in and raised a family. They were blessed with three children (Roxanne/spouse David, Randy/spouse April and Russell), seven grandchildren (Tony, Myles, Paige, Peyton, Pearce, Pryce and Reese) and three great-grandchildren (Jonathon, June and Owen).

Sandy’s first commitment was to family and children, which she demonstrated in all aspects of life. Church callings, serving on the New Mexico State PTA as treasurer, and decades of volunteer work for La Casa, Dona Ana’s comprehensive non-profit organization in domestic violence prevention, awareness, advocacy and support, were daily actions she took to live a value-based life and to lead by example. She was a key team member that raised money for La Casa’s shelter through an annual Bazaar and Craft Fair sponsored by the La Casa Guild.

A social butterfly, Sandy had many friends across a variety of interests. In fact, a couple of years ago, during her birthday month, she was booked for celebratory lunches every day the week of her birthday.

One group of friends were the “Bridge Ladies.” They started playing bridge in 1961 and continue to this day. Sandy was part of the four original Bridge Ladies and won her final contract with sophisticated tricks the Wednesday before she passed. She was 86 years old.

May you enjoy your new weekly bridge games in Heaven!

We’ll celebrate and honor the life of Sandy Larcher on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 10:00 am-12:00 noon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3210 Venus Street, Las Cruces, NM 88012.

If you’d like to send flowers, please have them delivered to the Church. If you’d like to donate to Sandy’s favorite charity, please make them in her name to La Casa (575-526-2819; 800 S Walnut, Las Cruces, NM 88001).

Arrangements are with the Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001. To sign the local guest book visit www.GetzCares.com.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84025988307?pwd=BCfgVF4FIaXCbPeVQauIPj6yRD3O0J.1 Meeting ID: 840 2598 8307 Passcode: 340516