Sandra Schumacher

VISITATION:

1-3 p.m., Saturday, December 1 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel.

SERVICE:

3 p.m., Saturday, December 1 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel.

Sandra J. "Sandy" Schumacher, 76, of Chippewa Falls, died Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

She was born July 10, 1936 in Eau Claire to Dorothy (Flickenger) and Walter Schumacher. She attended Eau Claire Public Schools and graduated from Eau Claire Senior High in 1954. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from UW La Crosse in 1958 and an MS from Colorado State in Greenley, Colorado in 1968.

Sandy taught at South Park Junior High School in Oshkosh from 1958-1963, at East High School in Rockford, Illinois form 1963-1968 and then at the UW Eau Claire from 1968-1994. At UWEC, she was the first intercollegiate coach for the following women's sports: volleyball, basketball, softball, synchronized swim show director and assistant women's golf coach. Sandy held the first volleyball and basketball camps for girls at UWEC. On October 15, 1995, Sandy was inducted in the UWEC Hall of Fame for her athletic achievements. In 2012, the first Sandy Schumacher Award in the field of Women's Athletics was given to three outstanding female athletes who, when confronted with a life-altering situation, used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome the event. One athlete from each of the sports Sandy was the head coach for at UWEC, was chosen to receive the award.

In her younger years, she was a well-known athlete in the area. She was a manager-player-coach of the traveling Co-op Softball Team, a speed skater as a youngster and in her later years was a bowler and golfer.

Sandy enjoyed her family, friends, golfing, pontooning on Lake Wissota, yard work and a few gambling trips, especially to Tunica, Mississippi. She loved her life on the lake.

Although Sandy never had children of her own, she touched the lives of so many and treated them as her own family.

Survivors include two brothers, Bob (Barb) Schumacher of Eau Claire, Bill (Kris) Schumacher of Green Bay; nephews, Scott and Tim Schumacher of Green Bay, David (Mary Ann) and Dennis (Pam) Schumacher of Eau Claire; great-nephews, Robert and Brandon Schumacher, great-nieces, Stacy, Amanda, Karissa and Shanna; great-nephew, Tyler Schumacher; special friend, Jean Rygiel; and a large network of friends, both personal and professional.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her aunt, Margaret Schumacher.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, December 1 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel with Rev. Terri Koca (a former basketball player of Sandy's) of Trinity United Methodist Church, Chippewa Falls officiating.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 3 p.m., Saturday at the funeral chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sandy's honor are appreciated and may be designated to the UWEC Foundation, The Sandy Schumacher Coaching Fund, PO Box 4004, Eau Claire, WI 54702, which benefits student athletes at the college.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the Oncology staff at Mayo Clinic Health System for their wonderful care and compassion shown to Sandy throughout her battle.

AFTERSERVICE

A funeral service for Sandra J. Schumacher was held at 3 p.m., Saturday, December 1 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel in Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Terri Koca of Trinity United Methodist Church, Chippewa Falls officiated. Music was provided by organist, Judy Brist and vocalist, Kaitlyn Klos. Personal reflections were shared by Brenda Rygiel, Carol Craig, Bonnie Gullickson and Cheryl Treland. Honorary casket bearers were David, Dennis, Scott and Tim Schumacher, Betsy Latsch and Nancy Lee.