Sandra Lee (Waln) Goeken

August 19, 1945 – July 18, 2024

Sandra Lee (Waln) Goeken, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on July 18, 2024. She was born on August 19, 1945, at the naval base hospital in Miami Dade, Florida, to Burford Merle Waln and Catherine Emily (O’Leary) Waln.

Sandie’s life was defined by her unwavering love for her family. Her husband, David Goeken, who preceded her in death on September 11, 2024, was the love of her life for the beautiful 43 years they had together, married on May 15, 1980. Theirs was a deep and enduring bond, and their reunion in passing brought comfort to those who knew them.

Family was everything to Sandie, and she cherished every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and their families. Her home was always open, and filled with warmth. She was a true friend, maintaining lifelong connections and always finding time for those she held dear.

Sandie was a woman of many talents and interests. Sewing clothes for her children as they were growing up, and knitting for all. She had a passion for gardening, cultivating beautiful flowers and bountiful vegetables with her impressive green thumb. She often shared fond memories of her childhood horses and the pride she felt as Phillips County Fair Princess, riding in parades and attending fairs. A lifelong avid reader, she found joy and knowledge in books of all kinds, but was especially fond of mysteries.

Throughout her life, Sandra wore many hats, always demonstrating a strong work ethic and determination beginning early in life. She helped her father at the grocery store, drove grain trucks during harvest season, owned and managed a Wards Store, worked as a legal investigator for Morgan County Social Services for many years, managed the books and greeted patients at doctors’ and dentists’ offices, helping with a family manufacturing business, and later in life, Sandra pursued her passion for justice by attending college for Criminal Justice and ultimately becoming a private investigator. She was particularly proud of obtaining her concealed carry permit for this line of work.

Sandra’s children will forever cherish her absolute unconditional love, forgiveness, and unwavering support. Mom’s love for her children was a force of nature, a boundless wellspring of affection that knows no limits. It was a fierce protectiveness, a tender hug, a guiding hand, and an ever-waiting listening ear. It was a joy in our triumphs, a solace in our sorrows, a belief in our dreams. She had the unconditional acceptance that allows us to blossom into our truest selves, knowing we were cherished beyond measure. She gave us the unspoken promise to always be there, she was a constant through the changing seasons of life, she was a love that endured long after we had left the nest.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David Goeken, her parents, her cousin and best friend, Joyce Murphy, and three grandchildren, Mitchell and Miranda Whittaker, and Christopher Smart.

Sandra is survived by her children, Stacey and husband Bob Murray, Patricia and husband Thomas Lockwood, Stephanie and husband Nick Browner, Paula and husband Cesar Izaguierre, and Anthony and wife Roberta Goeken.

Sandra cherished her time with her grandchildren and was there for most of their life events. Her grandchildren are Josh Whittaker, Nathan and wife Erin Murray, Amber Murray, Annie and husband Matt Casswell, Adam and wife Bree Lockwood, Lauren and husband Jesse McCraken and Kyle Lockwood, Davi Smart and husband Jason Price, Danielle Delgado, Alexis Browner, Sandra Marquez and husband Mando Ortiz, Steven Marquez, Brooke Marquez, Victoria and husband Israel Gutierrez, Cesar Morones, Saul Gutierrez, David Goeken and wife Gabbie Goeken, and Rebecca Goeken and her husband Michael Anderson. She is survived by her cherished Great-Grandchildren Penelope Caswell, Owen and Oliver Lockwood, Nora and Vincent McCracken, Colton Younger, Talon and Mia Ortiz, Emily and Justine Marquez, Aidan Bernal, Kingston and Salice Alvarez, Lily and Leah Gutierrez, Josiah, Maya, Edward and Neveah Morones, and Lilyanna, Chevelle and Saul Riot Gutierrez, Cynthea Goeken and Ava Anderson. She is survived by brother- Daniel and wife Teresa Waln, brother  Allan and wife Betty Waln, sister Lonna and husband Jerry Willey,  brother-in-law Thomas and wife Donna Goeken, and many beloved nieces and nephews.