Tandra Anderson Farnes

Tandra Iris Anderson Farnes, 59, of Idaho Falls, passed away on December 12, 2025, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. She was under the care of her loving family and Aspen Home Health and Hospice.

Tandra was born on January 23, 1966, in Blackfoot, Idaho to Dennis Bland Farnes and Carol Jean Jones. She grew up and attended schools in Blackfoot and graduated from Blackfoot High School.

Tandra made her home in Blackfoot until she moved to Shelley in 2000. She eventually moved to Idaho Falls where she has lived for many years. She always stood up for and helped those who were neglected and cast off, choosing to make her life’s work taking care of people with special needs. She worked for and managed an assisted living facility in Shelley for over 25 years and eventually became part owner of Spring Hills Assisted Living until its closing in 2005. She had a gift for communicating with and motivating her clients, and never really did stop trying to find a way to help, even while fighting multiple health issues.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, and being among the trees. She collected rocks and minerals and had a way of communicating with and nurturing plants and flowers. Later in life, she became a writer of short poems to help her work through the challenges she faced, all while trying to inspire someone else to keep going. She enjoyed being around her family and trying to get a laugh out of anyone she could. Over the course of her life, she became a step-in mom for dozens of kids who didn’t have parents involved in their lives. It never mattered what their circumstances were, she loved and inspired them to keep going.

Tandra is survived by her son, Dustin (William) Johns of Idaho Falls; son, Cason (Keri) Reid of Idaho Falls; daughter, Shayleigh (Alana) Powell of Idaho Falls; son, Gunner (Shyanne) Powell of Blackfoot; daughter, Daisha (Kaden) Powell of Idaho Falls; Brianna Molinari of Idaho Falls; sister, Deanna Farnes of Blackfoot; brothers, Todd Farnes of Salem, OR and Shannon Anderson of Idaho Falls. She had 17 grandchildren who she lovingly called her “grand-dots” and “grand-gems.”

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Curt Farnes and Doug Farnes, as well as her parents, and her grandparents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. The family will visit friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Both visitations will be held at the funeral home. Services will be broadcast live at www.woodfuneralhome.com. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.