Peggy Lea Carns, age 68, of Valparaiso, Indiana was born on May 18, 1957, in Gary, Indiana to the late Donald Bruce and Luetta (née Matthews) Hodge. Peggy was united with her beloved parents and met her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 25, 2026, after fighting a courageous six-year-long battle with severe lung disease.

Peggy married Michael “Moses” Carns on Feb. 24, 1973, who provided a paramount of care and support throughout her battle. She is survived by Moses, their daughter Shannon (Michael) Steve, and their three grandsons, Brandon, Eric, and Jared (all of Michigan.) Peggy is also survived by siblings, Sandie (Ray) Love of Strongsville, OH, Carolie (Rod) Warren of Hobart, IN, Donald (Jane) Hodge of Muscatine, IA, and Cliff (Betsy) Hodge of Moscow Mills, MO.

From her early childhood, Peggy loved animals and took great pleasure in taking care of them, especially the wounded. Her gentle heart and sympathetic spirit led her to work at the Cerebral Palsy Center in Hobart, IN while still a student at River Forest High School. It was only fitting that she would choose a career in nursing. Peggy graduated from the Indiana Vocational Technical College of Practical Nursing in 1989. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for over 30 years caring for both young children with disabilities as a pediatric home health care nurse and then for elderly patients as a nurse at Life Care Center of Valparaiso.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peggy’s name may be made to the Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Foundation at rrpf.org.

Peggy will be deeply missed by the many lives she has touched as a result of her career and her profound love for her family and friends. Per her wishes a Celebration of Life will be held at a date TBD.

Cremation was entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 W. Old Ridge Road. For more information, please call (219) 942-2109. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.