Bertha L. Sandoval

Bertha L. Sandoval, 89, died October 9, 2018 at her residence of Elan - Santa Monica Assisted Living, Albuquerque, NM after several days of care at Lovelace Heart Hospital. Bertha, a former resident of Rio Rancho, was preceded in death by her eldest son, Michael Sandoval; her parents, Josefina and Ernesto Lucero, Las Cruces, NM; and her granddaughter, Lisa Sandoval; (father Jerry Q Sandoval). She is survived by her loving husband, Fred M. Sandoval, Albuquerque; her beloved sons, L. Victor Sandoval (wife Mary) of Las Cruces NM, Mark E Sandoval of Bismarck ND, Philip F. Sandoval (wife Martha) of Billings MT, Jerry Q. Sandoval of Albuquerque, and daughter, Anita S. Brandenburg (husband Scott) of Fargo, ND. Bertha has one sibling, her lovely sister and survivor, Lupe Leinweber of Randolph, NJ. Other survivors include ten grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and many friends.

Bertha met her future husband, Fred in early 1948 while attending New Mexico State University and Fred was employed by the US Department of Agriculture. After they married in Dec. 1948, Bertha accompanied her husband to the University of Idaho where Fred completed graduate work, then to Utah State University for his post graduate studies.

Bertha a loving, caring, wife, and mother cared deeply for their four elder sons while Fred attended college and while he was employed by the USDA Soil Conservation Service in New Mexico and Idaho during 1948-1955. Bertha continued that important role as the family grew to eight with the birth of only daughter Anita and youngest son Jerry. She continued to maintain a warm loving home when Fred accepted a job in North Dakota with USDA Agricultural Research Service. They resided there for 23 years until he retired from the USDA-ARS.

Husband, Fred gives Bertha major credit for encouraging their children to seek higher education - all but one earning college degrees including two doctors. She was well known for her firmness but generous nature and friendly disposition; she was a devoted and loving spouse and mother.

Bertha became the office manager when they started a consulting service business in Montana in 1980 after Fred’s retirement from USDA-ARS. They closed the business in 1991 when they returned to New Mexico purchasing a home in Rio Rancho where they enjoyed retirement, eventually moving to an independent living community in 2011. In 2017 Bertha suffered a broken a hip and needed additional care so they moved to an assisted living facility. On her death Bertha resided at Elan - Santa Monica in Albuquerque.

Mass will be celebrated Friday, October 19, 2018, 10:00 a.m., at Risen Savior Catholic Community, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Interment will be at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM, October 22, 2018, 8:45 a.m.