Leonard J. Sandman 1924-2011

SANDMAN DANAHER AHMANN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 6/29/2011 at 21:04:06

Sioux City Journal
4 March 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Leonard J. Sandman, 87, of Sioux City passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, leaving behind the memory of his happy and independent spirit.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with the Rev. Merlin Schrad officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences can be sent to meyerbroschapels.com.

Leonard, the son of Theodore and Nora (Danaher) Sandman, was born Feb. 28, 1924, in Verdigre, Neb. Growing up, Leonard participated in rodeo and excelled in athletics, earning him the nickname "Speed Sandman." His family moved to Sioux City and he graduated from Trinity High School in 1942. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he participated in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach and saw action throughout the European Theater. Returning to the states after victory in Europe, he was shipped to Hawaii until the war's end in preparation for the invasion of Japan.

Leonard was married to Jean Margaret Ahmann on Jan. 31, 1951, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City. They had been married for 57 years when Jean, the love of his life, passed away in June 2008.

As a baseball catcher, the St. Louis Cardinals offered him a minor league baseball contract. An arm injury ended his playing days. He attended Wayne State College. He worked as a carpenter with his older brother, Fred, building houses for the Mansfield-Sandman Company. He sold cars at Vigin Motors. He was a longtime agent for Prudential Insurance Company and also worked as an independent insurance agent. He also enjoyed his involvement in the restaurant business at both Edith and Joe's Restaurant and at El Fredo's Pizza.

Leonard closely followed his family's activities, which included becoming a great fast-pitch softball fan. In retirement, Leonard volunteered for several years at Briar Cliff College and the Floyd Welcome Center. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, a lifelong supporter of Bishop Heelan High School and enjoyed his many years of service as an usher at Blessed Sacrament Church.

Leonard is survived by four sons, Jim (Rita) Sandman of Sioux City, John (Julie) Sandman of Sioux City, Pete (Janelle) Sandman of Sioux City, and Mark Sandman and special friend, Kerry McCarthy of Leavenworth, Kan.; one daughter, Mary (Manny) Garcia of Austin, Texas; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jean; twin infant daughters; and four brothers, Fred, Lawrence, John and Edward.

Leonard's family wishes to thank the caregivers and medical staff at Casa de Paz Health Care Center and Mercy Medical Center for their compassionate and professional care provided to Leonard in his last two months of life.