Ernestina Sandate

Ernestina Sandate, 85, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at her home in Tucson, Arizona, surrounded by her family. 

She was born July 20, 1937, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Alfonso Gomez and Luz Sanchez.

She attended school at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School.

Mrs. Sandate worked at Josten’s American Publishing Company for most of her life.  She served as a Spanish & English interpreter for various hospitals and community organizations. She enjoyed traveling, Mexican music, dancing with her husband, and spending time with grandchildren and her five great grandchildren. 

She married Gregorio Sandate on July 20, 1957 at Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Topeka, Kansas.  He passed away in 2014.

Ernestina and Gregorio lived in Topeka and were active members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Survivors include a son, Henry Sandate and ex-wife Sharon Sandate of Shawnee, Kansas; daughter, Nancy Craney and husband Benjamin of Oro Valley, Arizona; son, Edward Sandate and wife Catherine of Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren, Alexander Sandate, Natalie Sandate, Allison Sandate-Emerson and husband John Emerson, Thomas Sandate, Raquel Craney, and Gregory Sandate; 5 great grandchildren; sisters, Rachel Griego, Mary Benaka and husband Bob of Topeka, Kansas; brothers, Raul Gomez and wife Carmen, William “Bill” Gomez and wife Martha of Topeka.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings, Alfonso Gomez, Dale Gomez, Ralph Gomez, Alfredo Gomez, Johnny Gomez, Rudolph Gomez, Lucy Ramirez, and Silvino Gomez.

The family will receive friends from 9:00am to 10:30am Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where a Rosary will be prayed at 10:30am.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ernestina’s memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6^th Ave. Topeka, KS 66603.