Vernon Charles Sandmann

Vernon Charles Sandmann passed away May 2, 2025, at the age of 88 with his loving wife and family beside him.

Born on Feb. 23, 1937, he grew up on a small 40-acre dairy in Ridgefield, Wash., with his parents, Victor and Lydia Sandmann and younger sister, Diana.

Growing up he enjoyed participating in baseball, choir and Future Farmers of America. He attended Clark Junior College and studied engineering. After college, he purchased a Texaco Service Station and rented some ground across from the family dairy where he raised strawberries.  

In 1960, he was drafted into the Army and sent to Korea and as a result he sold the service station. While in the Army he was a staff driver for the general. The one story he has told over the years was the time he was to drive for Marilyn Monroe when she came for a USO tour, but someone with a higher rank decided to bump him. He ended up driving Danny Kaye around, instead.  

When he returned from Korea he went to work for Dorman Construction. While working highway construction and building I-5, his job took him to Blaine, Wash., where he met the love of his life, Barbara. They married in 1963. They had their first child, their daughter, Lynn, in 1964, and Chuck shortly after in 1966. Their youngest son, Michael, was born in 1970 to complete the family.

Vern and Barb purchased a 40-acre dairy from his parents and his passion for farming began. Vern farmed strawberries and raised hay on another 80 acres. Due to overpopulation in the area, they decided to sell the dairy. In September of 1966, they purchased a 320-acre farm and moved to Moses Lake. He passed on his love for farming to his son, Chuck, who still manages Sandmann Farms today. His farming career included many notable accomplishments. In 1969, he received the Block 89 Young Farmer of the Year Award. He has entered and been honored with the Grant County Hay King three different times, and in 1990, he won the Northwest Alfalfa Hay Championship at the Washington State Fair. In 2017 Vern was inducted into the Grant County Ag Hall of Fame.

Vern loved being involved in the Moses Lake community. He mentored young farmers, coached softball for his daughter’s team and Little League and Babe Ruth for his son’s teams.

He served as a school board director for the Moses Lake School District from 1979-1989 and was on the Paul Lauzier scholarship committee for many years. Vern and Barb were members of the Moses Lake Country Club for many years as well. He loved going to watch his grandkids and supporting others in various events. You could count on him being in the stands at the Grant County Fair, bidding and purchasing animals to support our youth.

Vern had a love for travel and family trips. Through all his travels he met many cherished friends from all over. His world travels included places like Egypt, Peru, Italy and Australia. Some of his favorite family trips included fishing at Ross Lake, and traveling to Mazatlán, Mexico. For over 40 years, they stayed at the Hotel Playa during the winter months. That is where he could totally relax before the next farm season.

We are very proud of our father and husband. He lived his life to the fullest and never failed to finish what he started. He always believed in hard work, honesty and helping others. He was committed to this community for many years and loved living in Moses Lake.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara Sandmann, Moses Lake; his sister Diana (Murray) Gustafson of Plano, Texas; his two sons Vernon Charles “Chuck” Sandmann II (Dawna); Michael Sandmann; daughter Lynn (Clark) McAlavy; seven grandchildren, Jessica (Kyle) Chamberlain; Nick McAlavy; Austin Sandmann; Hailey (fiance Josh Kiolbassa) Sandmann, Seguin, Texas; Taya (Steve) Botello, Alexya (Will) Connors; Farrya Sandmann, Stillwater, Oklahoma; and five great-grandchildren Macoy Chamberlain, Landrie Chamberlain, Khloe Sandmann, Vernon Wyatt and Ressie Botello.

A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church at 1142 W. Ivy Ave. In Moses Lake.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://bit.ly/VSANDMANN. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.