Sandra Wise

Sandra Dorothea (Thiessen) Wise, 81, passed away on Saturday, December 4, while surrounded by her family at St. Mary’s Hospital, Green Bay, Wisconsin.  She was born on October 17, 1940 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the daughter of Edgar and Ethel Thiessen.

Sandy grew up in Kiel and New Holstein and graduated from New Holstein High School in 1958 and Lakeland College in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.  In 1962, she married the love of her life, James (Jim) Wise, and they embarked on their journey together as Jim began his service in the United States Navy, with stations in California, Hawaii and North Carolina.  Sandy and Jim raised two children and created loving homes together for more than 58 years.

Sandy was employed by the DePere School District as a substitute teacher for many years.  She loved interacting with the students and was famous for her uncanny ability to know every name and face. She was an active member of Union Congregational United Church of Christ, Green Bay, where she was a founding committee member for the Jubilee House, a home for families in need.  Sandy was also an active member of the Woman’s Club of DePere and the Ladybug Garden Club of DePere.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jim; her daughter, Sherry Wise of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and her son, Mitch Wise (Debbie) of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; sister Prudence (David) Casper of Plymouth, Wisconsin and Naples, Florida; sister-in-law Karen Thiessen of New Holstein, Wisconsin; grandchildren Elli and Benjamin Klosiewski; step-grandchild Alyssa (Matthew) Kneesel; step-great-grandchildren Alexis and Michael Kneesel; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Terry Thiessen, and a brother-in-law, Palmer Smith.

A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held on Saturday, December 18 at 1:00 p.m. at Union Congregational United Church of Christ, 716 S. Madison Street, Green Bay.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Edgar Thiessen Scholarship Fund, Advancement Office, Lakeland University, W3718 South Drive, Plymouth WI 53073 or Green Bay Botanical Garden, Attn: Memorial/Tribute Gift, 2600 Larsen Road, Green Bay, WI  54303.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses in the St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Room, as well as the caregivers from Home Instead, for their care and kindness.

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