Sandra Cress

1949 - 2024

Sandra Cress

February 21, 1949 - October 23, 2024

Sandra Cress, age 75, departed this earth on the morning of October 23rd, 2024.

Sandy was born on February 21st, 1949 in Lemmon, South Dakota to Thomas and Ramona (Ruzsa) Meier. Her childhood began in Saint Paul and after the death of her father, her family moved to Clear Lake, WI. This is where the little city girl was introduced to the outdoors and farm life, which cultivated her love of and connection to nature. The flora and fauna around her was a great inspiration in her creative endeavors for which she was well known.

After high school, the farm girl began her college career at UW-Eau Claire and later UW-Madison. Life twisted and turned (as it does) and at age 47 her diploma dream was fulfilled when she graduated from UWEC with a BFA in Illustration with honors. Her credo was to "Never Stop Learning or Doing" and wow, did she deserve a PhD in Life.

As a working artist, she proudly displayed her art at many exhibits and shows and was well known for her recognizable work. It's amazing and comforting to know that so many pieces of her are out there, somewhere.

There are houseplants that have survived nearly 50 years due to her care. Her potato salad will never be forgotten. For years, hummingbirds have come to her feeders on (exactly) Mother's Day. The chain letter that she kept with her Putnam Hall girls has continued for decades. Her favorite day was in the spring and finding that first sprout of hosta or allium peek up through the snow. She was a kind hearted lover of nature and life.

She is survived by daughter Jennifer, sister Nancy Kalbow of Cedar, MN, sister Kathy (Bill) Hintz of Hartland, WI, brother Tom Meier of New Richmond, WI, nieces and nephews, friends, former husband Ray Cress of Clear Lake, WI, and her very special cat Kiki. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Joshua.

If you knew Sandy well, you'd know that cancer wasn't a battle – it was a speed bump. If you knew her better than most, you'd know that her stubbornness knew no bounds. She was tiny and mighty and larger than life and, though she faced more challenges than most, she met them with a fierce tenacity that brought down the house every time.

At the end of her life, she wanted nothing more than to pass peacefully and privately with few regrets in the home that she loved. May her resilience inspire us.

A celebration of Sandy's life will be held on October 18th from 11-2 at the Fish House in Altoona. All are welcome to attend.

Gratitude goes out to the exceptional care and kindness from Nurse Linda and the rest of the Mayo Hospice team.

For those wishing to honor her memory, donations can be made to the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory or Feed My People food bank.

Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.chippewavalleycremation.com

"My heart found its home long ago in the beauty, mystery, order and disorder of the flowering earth." – Lady Bird Johnson