Edmundo Saenz

Edmundo “Mono” Saenz was born on June 19th, 1944, in La Mesa, NM, went to the great Oktoberfest in heaven on October 16th, 2015. He was preceded in death by his loving “Schatz” Lotte Saenz and his parents Martin and Maria Saenz. After graduating from Gadsden High School in 1963, he joined the Army and completed two tours in Vietnam and countless hours of service around the world, as a Military Police, he retired in 1985. After retiring from the military “Mono” returned to La Mesa, NM and joined the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s department as a deputy sheriff, and was a patrol officer until the Sheriff assigned him to create the crime prevention unit. One of the important assignments in this unit was for Officer Saenz to speak and the different schools, and brings along McGruff the crime fighting dog, who was actually his wife Lotte. After leaving the crime prevention unit “Mono”, ventured on to various personal business ventures, such as Saenz security and owning the La Mesa gas station. Around this time “Mono” realized that he missed working with the youth and could do more in his community and accepted employment with the Gadsden School District as their drug prevention and intervention director. As this position developed, Ed was also placed in charge of the security department for the district and also developed successful programs such as McGruff in schools, Teen Court, Gang Council, and Red Ribbon. He touched the lives of many young people. Being an active member of his community, Ed “Mono” Saenz was a member of the La Mesa Lions, a freemason, a lifelong member of the VFW, and a founding board member of Southern NM Human Development and the La Mesa Water Association. Ed “Mono” Saenz married Lotte Meyer from Nuremburg, Germany in 1972. He will fondly be remembered by his sons Art Saenz (Cecilia) of La Mesa, NM, Alex Saenz of New York City, New York, his brother Jess Saenz of El Paso, TX, his sisters Graciela Saenz of Chaparral, NM, Rosa Jacquez (Ray) of Chamberino, NM, Maria Saenz of La Mesa, NM and his sister/cousins Amelia Rivas (Frank) of La Mesa, NM, Cecilia Yanez (Tony) of La Mesa, NM, Margie Martinez (David) of La Mesa, NM, and Auntie Lupe Benavidez of La Mesa, NM, granddaughters Brittny Saenz and Leo Gutierrez of Las Cruces, NM and Tabitha Warren of St. Johns, AZ. Ed Saenz also had 5 great-grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be said at San Jose Catholic Church in La Mesa, NM on Saturday, October 24th, 2015. Visitation will be from 9:30am-10:30am, Vigil/Rosary from 10:30am-11:00am and Mass at 11am. Pall bearers for these services will be JR Vega, Ricky Jacquez, David J. Martinez, Michael Martinez, Bobby Cano and Anthony Rodriguez. Honorary pall bearers will be Raymundo Sr. Jacquez, Don Saenz and David Sr. Martinez. In lieu of flowers the family would like to request a donation be given to The Gadsden Foundation. This foundation is financed through employee donations and it is for scholarships for Gadsden students. Checks may be sent to: GISD 4950 McNutt Rd., Sunland Park, NM 88063. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast in El Paso, Texas. Please visit our register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.