Ella Irene Sandoval
Obituary
Ella Irene Sandoval, Nee Bogar of Burien, WA. Age 83, went to be with our Lord on June 9, 2023.
She Passed away at her home as a result of Dementia and Natural Causes.
Irene was Born to John Wickliffe and Laura Alice Bogar on July 28, 1939, in Onalaska, WA.
A Memorial service on Saturday June 17th at 09:00 will be held at Bonney Watson at SeaTac WA.
@ 16445 International Boulevard S. 98188.
A graveside service will follow at 1:00pm at Alpha Cemetery, 3363 Centralia Alpha Road, Onalaska WA. In Lewis County.
She was the second of 5 children. Growing up in Southwest Washington, Irene worked on a Farm learning all the different jobs that life entailed. Raising livestock, growing grain, learning to sew, cook, and organize her life.
Educated at the Onalaska Elementary and High schools, she was an excellent student. She played Trombone in the Band, played Basketball, was a good athlete. Her best friends Barbara Workman and Anita Kalnoski were by her side. By 1956, She had amassed enough credits to graduate one year before her class. Mother was raised with her sisters and Brother. In 1953 while at a community dance at Playquato dance club, she met a Young Soldier named Anthony Sandoval (Tony). He would be a part of her life from that day forward.
After Graduating, Irene left the farm for Chehalis, Washington and became a bookkeeper at a Bank of Washington. She showed a Preponderance for this task and excelled at this job so much so that she was given her own book within months of starting to work there.
When Tony was deployed to South Korea to guard the border, they often wrote each other and after his tour was completed, he returned to Fort Lewis. He brought home a matching suit set he had made in Korea and asked Irene to marry him. They travelled to California and Arizona on their honeymoon so Irene could meet Tony’s family.
In October their son, David, was born. Following this blessing, Tony was deployed to Hanau West Germany. Irene and David moved in with her father and mother while waiting to join Tony in Germany. In the winter of 1959 Irene and David travelled to New York to embark on the USNS General Maurice Rose enroute to Bremerhaven Germany where they were reunited with Tony.
By 1960 they had moved from Hanau to Augsburg Germany. Irene was learning how to be an army wife and all the difficulties that that life entailed. They welcomed a daughter, Shirley, into the family. Later in the year, during June, the DDR decided to build a wall to divide east and west Berlin. This action extended Tony’s deployment one year. Irene was taught how to evacuate the family in case of invasion by the Soviets and East Germans. By 1963 the family had been sent stateside. Tony had his orders changed so he could assist Mom’s parents with cleanup from the Columbus Day storm and Irene arrived at Fort Lewis, Washington. The family lived off base for a year before being housed in Beachwood housing on base. In 1965 Tony was deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam.
Irene, raising two kids and managing all the family needs by herself. This changed as a third child entered the picture, her stepson Andrew from Tony’s first marriage, Irene took on the challenge and she raised all three kids to be their best.
In 1966 Tony returned from Vietnam. But was once again stationed in Wertheim West Germany, Peden Barracks. The family made the best of it, first living off base, but eventually getting base housing. By 1968 Tony had decided to retire after 20 years of service.
Tony and Irene settled in Lakewood, WA. next to Fort Lewis. Tony retired in 1969. Irene worked in the cafeteria at the Veteran hospital at American Lake. After a few years working at Nalley’s and Paccar, Tony was hired by Lockheed Shipbuilding in Seattle and Irene and family moved to Seattle. By now Andrew had decided to move back in with his mother in Wenatchee.
During all these years Irene had been anything but Idle, she volunteered with veterans’ groups, made donuts, worked at restaurants and raised a family. When Lockheed closed the shipyard Tony hired on with Seattle City Light. Irene tutored students at the High School, volunteered to work with local community groups and newspapers.
When Shirley was accepted to college. Irene went with her and worked at the school as a cook. Irene was a caregiver for her Father and Mother and spent several years caring for them. After Tony retired, he was overcome by complications from exposure to Agent Orange and left Irene in April of 1999. By August of 2003, Her Mother Laura was received by the Lord. Irene was never one to stay Idle and she volunteered and helped several community groups till her son David had a surgical mishap and needed her special care. She helped him and him her the next few years.
In 2000 Irene fell and damaged her Spinal Cord. After surgery to repair the damage Irene was unable to recover completely from the event and after 2+ years in Bed, on June 9, 2003, she succumbed to her injury and effects of dementia to join her beloved Tony in Heaven.
Irene liked to Sing and dance; she loved playing her trombone and she liked to listen to country music especially the Shoppe.
Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and help Irene to transcend her life as an angel in Heaven.
Irene is Survived by her Son Anthony David Sandoval, Her Daughter Shirley Sandoval (Doug Krone), Her Granddaughter Cheyenna Krone, grandson Anthony Sandoval. Her Sister Evelyn Jean Lafrombois (Duane) Ethel Marie Strickland (Jerry), Aurora Miyamura, Alberta Nelson, Mercy Perez, Several Nieces and Nephews and Cousins.
Irene was Preceded in Death by her husband Anthony Sandoval, mother and father John and Laura Bogar, Her sister Elizabeth Dupree, brother & sisters, John D Bogar (Phredd), David Sandoval, Rudy Sandoval, May Sandoval, Manuel Sandoval, Dora Sandoval, Mas Mayamura, & Cody Nelson, her nephews and niece, Robert and John Dupree, Ron and Crystal Froemke.
Irene was a devout Christian being baptized by the Presbyterian Community Church at Onalaska.
She often gave donations to religious and Veterans Groups.
If you would care to donate to the VFW, DAV, or Paralyzed Veterans of America in Irene’s name that would make her happy.
Mother, I will miss you. I’m so happy that you and Dad are together again even though my heart aches from your absence. I recall all you have done with me and for me. the adventures we shared, the places we have been, the lessons we have learned. today you have ascended to Heaven, tomorrow I begin life without parents. I want you to know, I will be fine, I will be sad, I will morn, but I will rejoice because you are with Dad and our God has removed all your pain and suffering. So I will move forward. I will live my life and when my time comes to join you I will. so until that day comes you are in my Heart, my Memories and I will Love you always.
You were a wonderful Auntie to me, I will miss you and will always remember our many wonderful times we had together throughout my lifetime. I’ll cherish every memory. I love you Auntie ❤️🙏🏼
Irene made our wedding cake 39 years ago and wouldn’t let us pay for it. She was a shining light that will be missed.
We used to sing “Good night Irene” to you and yet you graciously accepted us. We’ll see you in our dreams.
i will always remember what a loving Aunt to me and how much fun we had over so many years. I love you Aunt Irene and your always in my heart
Lots of memories of fond memories of Irene. She always made me laugh. The wedding cake she made for my wedding was beautiful and she jumped right in to help with the food and cleanup. Both Irene and Tony hold a special place in my memories for all they did to support me in my younger days with my parents so far away. Thinking of Dave and Shirley during this difficult time.