Audie Sanderlin

Audie Sanderlin (née Audrey Naomi) passed away peacefully in her home in Lone Tree, Colorado on April 8, 2025 with her husband Sandy at her side.

Audie was born on New Year’s Eve, 1931 at home in Harrison, Nebraska. Audie was the second child and eldest daughter to Joseph (Joe) and Isabel. During World War II, her father took a job at Bell Labs, and the family moved to Marlboro County, New Jersey. Audie adjusted well to the busier East Coast.

In 1948 Audie attended a USO dance. Across the dance floor, Arnold (Sandy) Eugene Sanderlin, a young Army Private, saw Audie and was completely smitten. He told himself she was the kind of girl he wanted to marry. This was the beginning of an enduring love story. On May 21, 1950, at the age of 18, Audie married Sandy (age 19) at the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church in Tennent, New Jersey where Audie sang in the choir.

A few weeks later, Audie started a new adventure by traveling 4,954 miles to meet Sandy who had already reported to his new Army post: Helemano in Oahu, Hawaii. Audie quickly acclimated to her role as an Army wife. She learned to be flexible and hospitable as there were many occasions that she would be making a last-minute meal for several soldiers that Sandy had brought home for an evening of food and fellowship. Audie and Sandy attended Wahiawa Baptist Church where her faith in Jesus Christ was established, grew, and sustained her.

In Hawaii, they had two sons: Wayne Pierre (Pete) and Eric Michael (Mike). In 1954 the Army moved the family to West Groton, Massachusetts and then Long Branch, New Jersey. In 1957, Sandy was transferred to Poitiers, France. While there, two more sons were added to their family: Brian Daniel (Dan) and David Bruce (Bruce). Audie was active as the President of the Protestant Women of the Chapel (military chapel), superintendent of the Sunday School, and a member of the choir. While in France, she improved her French, and enjoyed antiquing.

Audie shined as she continued to create and cultivate a home in Ft. Benning, Georgia and Omaha, Nebraska. In 1963, Audie bravely took on the role of both mother and father in Columbus, Georgia while Sandy was deployed to Vietnam. On Sandy’s return in 1964, the family moved to Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey; Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; and Wijnandsrade, The Netherlands. In 1970 the family moved to Littleton, Colorado as Sandy was deployed for the second time to Vietnam. Audie repeated her role as mother/father for their sons.

Upon their retirement from the military, Sandy and Audie settled in Littleton, Highlands Ranch, and then Lone Tree, Colorado. In addition to being a homemaker, Audie had many interests: she studied interior decoration at Arapahoe Community College, and theology and counseling at Denver Seminary. In addition, she played tennis, bowled, volunteered at a hospital and at the Officers’ Christian Fellowship, and attended Bible studies. Audie and Sandy enjoyed several international trips. She was always proud of her Scottish Heritage as a member of the Buchanan Clan.

Audie’s joy increased with the weddings of their sons and the births of their nine grandchildren, and later, seven great-grandchildren.

In 2017 Audie and Sandy moved to Lone Tree, where they became part of a vibrant community. Audie easily befriended many residents and proved to be an encouragement to everyone she knew.

Audie is survived by Sandy, her husband of nearly 75 years, and her sons and their families, Pete (Pam), Mike ( Lori-deceased), Dan (Laura), Bruce (Terri), grandchildren Joe (Mischa), Colleen, Matthew, Jesse (Rebekah), Kara (Andrew), David (Claire), Janan, Tim (Lauren), and Connor (Emma), and seven great grandchildren. Audie is preceded in death by her parents and daughter-in-law, Lori.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the following organizations: 

Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, 10150 E Belleview Ave. Englewood, CO 80111

Officers Christian Fellowship, 4050 Lee Vance Drive Suite 330, Colorado Springs, CO 80918