Sandra Wise

Sandra Lee Wise

March 11, 1947 - October 7, 2024

Sandra L. Wise, lovingly known as “Sandy” of Madison, Wisconsin (formerly of Waukesha, Wisconsin) passed away peacefully with her daughter on Monday, October 7, 2024 at the age of 77. Sandy was born in Waukesha on March 11,1947 to Michael and LaVerne (Kissling) Lombardi. Sandy was the youngest of their seven children. Sandy married the love of her life, John M. Wise, on September 10, 1966. They had the honor of loving each other for 55 years, before his passing in 2022. Sandy was a graduate of Waukesha High School. In her early career she worked as a secretary for Waukesha Motor Company putting her dream of becoming a nurse on hold to help support her husband while in college. After having two children, Sandy enjoyed a long career with the Waukesha School District as a secretary at Waukesha South High School. Sandy is fondly remembered by her former Waukesha South coworkers as being welcoming, kind and generous. After retiring, Sandy and John moved to Madison to be closer to their daughter and family. This is where she found her true passion as a water aerobics instructor teaching at Harbor Athletic Club, Madison School and Community Recreation and SwimWest. Sandy was known and loved for her humor-infused classes where she made everyone feel seen, appreciated and welcomed. Sandy’s children Jennifer and Jeff and grandchildren were true joys in her life. Sandy enjoyed spending time with her family, especially cooking for them during the holidays. She also loved planning and hosting dinners, picnics and parties for her friends and family. Sandy never forgot a birthday or anniversary and her legacy will be as someone who fiercely and deeply loved her children and grandchildren, relished in caring for others before herself, and enjoyed spreading joy. Sandy is survived by her two children: Jennifer (William) Kutsunis, Jeffrey (Elena) Wise; five grandchildren: George and Alex Kutsunis, and Rachel, Natalie and Anna Wise. Sandy is also survived by her eldest sister Betty (Maurice) Tio. Sandy is preceded in death by her loving husband John M. Wise. She is also preceded in death by her parents LaVerne H. Kissling and Michael Lombardi and siblings: Charles Lombardi, Stanley Lombardi, Michael Lombardi, Nancy Geszvain, and Robert Lombardi. Sandy loved being in the pool and teaching, so in her honor a scholarship has been set up to provide summer camp tuition at the Swim & Gym Summer Camp for children in need. Donations can be made to The Sandy Wise Swim & Gym Summer Camp Scholarship Fund and mailed to Swim & Gym Summer Camp, 1001 Deming Way, Madison, WI 53717, or you may contact Karen Kittleson Clay at karen@swimgymcamp.com for further assistance. A private graveside service will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery, 605 S. Prairie Avenue, Waukesha, Wisconsin as well as a Celebration of Life gathering in Madison at a later date.