Sandra Lee Stender

Sandy Stender, age 71 of Fennimore, entered heaven on March 31, 2019, at the Grant County Regional Hospital in Lancaster, WI. Her faith was what sustained her and it remained the precedence enabling her to slip peacefully in to sleep as she dreamed of her beloved husband Keith.

Sandy was born on July 24, 1947 to Ruth (Campbell) and Harold Stivarius. Sandy grew up and lived in Fennimore, graduated from Fennimore High School and later received her Bachelors degree in Business Accounting. Sandy’s younger brother, Tom introduced her to Keith Stender when she was eighteen and immediately knew they were destined to be together. They were married on January 28, 1967.

Sandy loved camping, boating, and fishing.  She also enjoyed crafting & gifting to friends and family.

She was a scholar, and educator, a kindred spirit, beautiful mother and wife, daughter, aunt, sister and most importantly, a unique soul. Sandy was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Whitish-Funk Post 184, an active member of the St Peter Lutheran Church, and worked at the Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for Project Pivot and later as a GED examiner.

Sandy is survived by her daughters, Jennifer (Don) Nelson of Brooklyn, WI and Julia Jill Stender of Charlotte, NC along with her beloved and precious granddaughter Kenadee Nicole Nelson.  A sister, Jane Luckey of Dodgeville, WI; brothers, Tom (Jackie) Stivarius of Fennimore, WI; Jim (Sharon) Stivarius also of Fennimore, WI.  She is also survived by other sisters and brothers in law, five godchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Sandy was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband, Keith Stender; her mother, Ruth Stivarius; and father, Harold Stivarius and an infant sister Diane.

The Family would like to extend a special thank you to the Nursing Staff at Grant County Regional Hospital for their love, care and support through these past few days.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday April 6, 2019 at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore with burial of the cremated remains to held at a later date in the Prairie Cemetery rural Fennimore. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at the church on Saturday morning. A lunch and time of fellowship will be provided directly following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established in loving memory of Sandy Stender. The Larson Family Funeral Home of Fennimore is assisting the family.