On the morning of June 22, 2015, Juanita, age 91, peacefully passed away in the presence of her daughters and care giver at Our House Assisted Living after a long struggle with Alzheimers disease.
Juanita was born on September 5, 1923 the middle child to Elwin and Myrtle Klein in Livingston, MT. Juanita’s brother Elwin was born first in 1921 and her baby sister Erlene (LaDuke) followed her in 1925. Tragedy struck this young family in early 1931 when Juanita’s mother became ill and passed away at 32 years of age in July of 1933 when Juanita was 10 years old. Their family broke apart and went in different directions. Juanita was on her own before 15 years of age and began working for various families for room and board cleaning homes, cooking, doing laundry and childcare while she completed high school. After graduating from high school her life turned around when she got a job with the signal department and began a 30 year career with the Northern Pacific Railroad.
Life had another bright turn when she met a handsome young railroader Don Sandman. They were married on November 17, 1951 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Livingston. After her turbulent childhood she settled into married life in Livingston and she was able to fulfil her dream of being a mother to two daughters, Diane and Linda Sandman. Juanita was an outstanding cook and hostess to family and friends. She enjoyed gardening, card club, picnics, camping, and travel far and wide.
Don & Juanita retired from the railroad in 1982 and left Livingston and spent winters at their home outside of Yuma Arizona. They summered in the Flathead Valley and then moved there permanently in 1994, where they enjoyed boating & fishing on various lakes in the area, delved into the cherry business and built their retirement home in Kalispell. She loved the Flathead Valley and especially the arts community and Big Fork Playhouse. Mom enjoyed being a volunteer at Kalispell Regional Hospital for many years. Juanita and her husband Don were active in Democratic politics. She was especially proud to be one of Governor Brian Schweitzer’s first volunteers when he sought political office and loved witnessing his career unfold.
With her husband in failing health Don & Juanita moved to the Waterford (Touchmark) in Helena in 2004 to be closer to family. Juanita enjoyed supporting her daughter Linda in starting her Assisted Living business, SonHeaven. Juanita moved to SonHeaven as a resident in 2012 where she received loving care from the staff in support of her increasing dementia. In April of this year she moved to Our House Assisted Living where she made her final passage. Her daughters and friends are profoundly grateful for the loving care she received from her private care giver Christine Christianson and the awesome staff angels at SonHeaven (especially her dear Julie Bird) and the attentive compassionate care of Jo & LeRoy Gibson at Our House Assisted Living. The care she received at SonHeaven Assisted Living and Our House was Helena’s best Family thanks Frontier Hospice, Celeste RN and the hospice team for their care and support the last several months of Juanita’s life.
Juanita will always be remembered for her generosity of spirit, and long and abiding friendships and ability to share her love with others, her hugs and smile and being an amazing mother, hostess and cook.
Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband Don, and grandson Ross. She is survived by her daughter Diane Sandman of Denver and Linda Sandman (Viv Hammill) of Helena and numerous nieces and nephews (especially her grand niece Karen LaDuke who she had a lifelong close relationship).
In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations be sent to Camp Make-a-Dream (a cost free camp for children and young adults with cancer), P.O. Box 1450, Missoula, MT 59806-1450, www.campdream.org.
Memorial Service and celebration will be held on the deck of SonHeaven Assisted Living on Tuesday, June 30 at 2 pm, 2540 Ferndale Lane in Helena, for live music with Rick Wine and an ice cream social. Lowell Bartels will be officiating the service. To offer condolences or to share a story about Juanita please visit www.helenafunerals.com.
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Shawn Beckman says
I just remember her smile and little dance when she would see people come in the door.She loved people. Will miss you r.I.p. Shawn Beckman
carol bailey says
I have wondered for years what happened to the sweet Juanita. I worked with her for many years at the BN and loved her dearly. Juanita stood up for my Mom when she married my Dad on June 28,1947. My deepest condolences to the Sandman daughters. Juanita was such a special person and I know she will be missed.
Lindie Gibson says
Diane and Linda, I remember your mom well…meeting her for the first time when we were in 5th grade and you had a BBQ at your house…. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by many; I’m sure – My sincere condolences, Lindie Gibson
Lindie Gibson says
Lit a candle in memory of Juanita Klein Sandman
Patricia Sabo says
A beautiful women whose smile always lit up the room. When she held my hand to ask how I was I always felt a warm tingling and knew she wanted to help and listen with her warm, huge heart
Patti Sabo
Sheila Lohr says
Linda: I was so sorry to hear of your Moms passing. I didn’t know Juanita well but the first thought I had when reading the notice was of her amazing smile that brightened every room she entered. Take good care of yourself!!!
Nancy Kelly says
Juanita was one of the nicest, classiest ladies I’ve ever met. So many fond memories of her gentle warmth.
My thought are with you.
Nancy Kelly
Connie Geiger says
Linda: I just learned about your sad loss when Judy was reviewing the news while we were on a trip to Idaho. How very sad for you. She was an amazing lady, and I will always remember her welcoming, generous, spirit. May she comfort you in your dreams, and in fond memories.
Connie Geiger
Lorrie Vennes says
Linda and Diane,
My prayers are with you both, so sorry to learn of your mother’s passing. Your memories will be bring you peace now and in the future.
Lorrie Vennes
Christine Christiansen says
My Best Friend, Juanita
This one was a hard one for me because Juanita was like a Mother to me.
From laughing, crying, and just plan having the time of our lives when we were together.
We shared a lot of things through the years – they will never be forgotten.
From the first time we met I knew I had a “Very Special Friend” in my life.
Roads trips, meals, laughs, theatre, fixing her hair and nails for special occasions, to laundry. I loved this lady so much.
Thank you Linda & Diane for sharing your Mother Juanita with me.
She might be gone but ALWAYS in my heart and NEVER forgotten.
I will always hear that laugh of hers and feel the gentle kindness she showed me.
My hope is that I was as good a friend to Juanita and she was to me.
Christine Christiansen
Linda Thomson says
I was so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing when I looked through the obituarys in the
Livingston Enterprise this morning. I consider myself to be one of the fortunate ones who was able to call your mom “friend”. I too, worked at the railroad in Livingston for
many years and some of the best times were when a bunch of us would go to Martins for lunch and be silly. Once when Jaunita, Carol Saxbury, Donna Nemec, Nancy Kelly, Carol Bailey, and myself were laughing and having such a good time, one of the other
patrons asked if he too could share our table as we were having such a good time.
I also remember when your mom and dad bought the cherry tree farm up in the Flathead
where I am lucky enough to share time with my own girls now.
May God Bless you girls and your wonderful mom.
Linda (Versland) Thomson
Linda Thomson says
I forgot to mention Marge Frehlich as part of our fun lunches. We were probably laughing at one of Marge’s jokes as she was the absolute best joke tellers in the world,
when the person asked to be part of our table.
PS
Linda Thomson
Jim Wells says
My condolences in learning of Mrs. Sandman’s passing. She worked with my father, Francis Wells, at the Northern Pacific shops and I remember her as a very kind and gracious woman. It was so very interesting to learn about the challenges she faced in her early years. That she faced them so well is a testimony to a life well lived.
Jim Wells