Agnes E. Sandlin

Agnes E. Sandlin was born in Kaukauna Wisconsin, on November 2, 1921. She passed away on Saturday November 15, at Memorial Medical Center. She was 87 Agnes led an extraordinary life. She spent her early years in Kaukauna with her parents Angeline & Edwin, her sister Lois & brother Bucky. After High school she decided to obtain her pilot's license, something unheard of for a woman in the 1930's. When World War II broke out in the 40's her mother Angeline (Leddy) Ives and father Edwin B. Ives moved to Richland Washington to assist in the war effort. Along with her father and brother Bucky, Agnes took a job at Hanford Power Plant in quality assurance. The work there was very hush, hush and no one was really sure what they were working on. It would later be reveled that they were working on the Manhattan Project. Their work was key in the production of the Atomic Bomb there by contributing to the successful conclusion of World War II. At Wars end Agnes moved to San Francisco to find work. She was offered employment with an up and coming musician in the area, which she took. She became very close with the family and became more than just an assistant and nanny. His name was Benny Goodman, one of the most famous Big Band era musicians of the 1940's and 1950's. Aggie was a very successful and forward thinking woman; she was smart, beautiful and curious about the world. When she wasn't working you could find her out on the town with her friends. She enjoyed the Big City life and all that it had to offer. She would often recall times spent with her dearest girlfriends and their adventures. She enjoyed horses and on occasion you could find her at the Race track. There are photos of her with Triple Crown winner Citation. In 1951 she found the love of her life Kenneth E. Sandlin. Kenneth was in the Army and stationed in San Francisco. They knew instantly that they had found the right one and after a world wind romance were married. They spent the next 26 years raising their family. Kenneth was a distinguished Army CWO5. They traveled the world together, living in such places a Germany, Hawaii, Arizona and New Mexico. In 1967 they decided to retire and made Las Cruces there home. Agnes was preceded in death by the love of her life Kenneth in 1978. She waited 30 years for there happy renuion.They really were part of the "Greatest Generation." She leaves to cherish her memory two children, Kathy Tester and her husband Jim of Las Cruces. Kenneth Jr. and his wife Annette of Belen, New Mexico. Grandson Bryan Rogers of Washington State and his children Joshua & Sierra. Granddaughter Candace Avalos and her husband Billy of Las Cruces, their children Jacob, Isaiah, Tiana, William. She leaves behind countless friends. Her memory will live in us all as we were lucky enough to know this extraordinary woman of the world, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. You will be missed!!! A visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 am on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Getz Funeral Home. Graveside Funeral Services will follow at 11 am at Masonic Cemetery, 760 S. Compress Rd. Las Cruces. Officiating will be Rev. James Large of St. Paul's United Methodist Church PDF Printable Version