Sandy Bustamante

Sandy Bustamante, 71, of Kansas City, MO passed away on Friday, January 11th at Shawnee Mission Medical Center surrounded by family.  We are remembering her now for all of the good times and the things she taught us through the way she lived: loyalty, humility, sacrifice, and kindness.  Although often soft spoken and reserved, Sandy was deeply compassionate, caring, and loved by everyone who met her.

Sandy was born on December 30, 1947 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Franklin and Dorothy Hoss.  Her brother, Alan, was later born in 1963. She graduated from South High School in Omaha, Nebraska in 1966.

Sandy served in the United States Air Force from October 1972 to July 1977.  While in the service, she worked as a Disbursement Accounting Specialist at Travis Air Force Base in California, where she would meet her husband, Ruven Bustamante.  Famously, when Ruven first asked Sandy to go out on a date for pizza, she replied, “I had pizza last night,” and drove away, leaving him in the dust. Fortunately, however, a mutual friend reconnected them, and they were eventually married.  In 1977, She was honorably discharged from the Air Force after attaining the rank of Sergeant and she and Ruven moved to Clovis, New Mexico. While in New Mexico, Sandy and Ruven had two sons, Greg and Vincent, both born in 1978.

Sandy worked as an Accounting Assistant at State Street Corporation for many years, retiring in 2010.  Her meticulous nature made her excellent at her job. She was very well-liked by her coworkers and often talked about sharing funny experiences at work with Sabreena and Richard.

Sandy loved music and seeing live performers ranging from Enrique Iglesias featuring Pit Bull, ACDC, Bon Jovi, Train, and Cher.  More than any, she loved Elvis Presley. She was an active member of the Stuck on Elvis fan club, making trips all over to see tribute artists perform.  She also loved dancing, learning multiple ballroom dancing styles and never missing an episode of “Dancing with the Stars.”

In 2005, she purchased her own home, which she was very proud of.  She enjoyed hosting family and friends at her home for holidays and other occasions.  Her sons and their families always looked forward to holidays at her home. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren, Andrew and Josie, who called her “Gamma Sandy.”

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents Franklin and Dorothy Hoss, and her husband Ruven Bustamante.  Sandy is survived by: her sibling Alan Hoss (San Diego, California), his wife Sally and daughter Summer; son Greg Bustamante (Olathe, Kansas), his wife Rita, and their two children Andrew and Josie; son Vincent Bustamante (Lenexa, Kansas) his wife Melissa; sister-in-law Mary Diaz (Corpus Christi, Texas); sister-in-law Liz Bustamante (Corpus Christi, Texas); niece Gina Diaz (Corpus Christi, Texas); nephew Eric Diaz (Corpus Christi, Texas), cousin Pat Gillham Williams (Harrison, Arkansas).

A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00pm on Wednesday, January 16th at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, Kansas.  Please join us in celebrating her life.