Connie Sande

Connie (Holthaus) Sande, age 72 of Decorah, IA passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, at WinnMed in Decorah, IA surrounded by family.
Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 W Main St., Decorah, IA with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding.
Visitation will be 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water St., Decorah, IA. There will be no visitation on Friday before the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers plants. Memorials may be made to UW Health Transplant Center or Vanderbilt Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis Research in Nashville, TN or mailed to Helms Funeral Homes, 306 E. Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101.
Connie Sande, age 72, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, at WinnMed in Decorah, IA, surrounded by her loving family. Connie was diagnosed with familial pulmonary fibrosis in 2010. She was fortunate and so grateful to receive a lung transplant in June of 2013 at UW Health in Madison, WI. From that time on, she fought a courageous battle to have as normal a life as possible. Her strength and determination, along with her strong faith in God, helped her face each day. She was so proud to be able to ring the 10- year survival bell in 2023. Connie was able to give back by being a tissue and organ donor at the time of her death.
Connie Marie (Holthaus) Sande was born on August 2, 1952, in Decorah, IA, to Raymond and Hilda (Bohr) Holthaus, the tenth of eleven children. Connie attended St. Benedict's Catholic School through eighth grade and DeSales High School through junior year until its closure. She completed her high school education and graduated from Decorah High School in 1970. Connie was married in 1970 and had four children: Cory, Amy, Kelly and Erin. The marriage was later dissolved.
Connie went on to attend Northeast Area One in Calmar, IA, and received her LPN degree in 1978. Connie worked as an LPN at Winneshiek Memorial Hospital in the Labor and Delivery Department for several years, then returned to school and obtained her Registered Nurse Degree from Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, IA, in 1991. She continued to work at Winneshiek Medical Center in Labor and Delivery until 2006. Connie then worked as an RN at Olmstead Medical Group in Rochester, MN, until relocating to Viroqua, WI, and managed the Viroqua Birth Center from 2007-2009. She finished her nursing career at Franciscan Skemp Hospital, La Crosse, WI, in Quality Improvement. Connie had a great passion for taking care of newborns and new mothers. Connie was an advocate for breast feeding and became certified as an International Lactation Consultant in 2000. She helped many mothers realize the benefits of breast feeding. To better support mothers in labor, Connie became a certified hypnobirth instructor. Even after all these years, patients she cared for still comment on what a fantastic nurse she was and the compassionate care they received from her. Connie developed many strong friendships with her co-workers and continued her relationships by joining them for monthly lunches until her passing. She was highly respected by the providers she worked alongside. As a result of her exceptional skills, she became the first RN Medical Examiner's Investigator for Winneshiek County.
Even as a working mom, Connie found time to keep a spotless home and always made time on her day off to bake-whether it be sour cream cookies, cinnamon rolls, or banana bread- along with many other goodies. She loved making apple pies with her sister Judy and always had a frozen one in the freezer to bake in case of an "emergency." She made special occasions extra special by setting a beautiful table and providing family favorite foods.
She supported her children's many activities by offering encouragement and praise. Connie loved her kids, grandkids, siblings, nieces and nephews, and she was loved for her wit and sense of humor, her strong determination, and independence. Connie loved the Packers and enjoyed watching many games on TV with her brothers Willard and Dave. One of the highlights for Connie was going to Lambeau Field for a Packers game with Kelly and Cheryl. Connie also became an avid Indiana Fever fan and enjoyed watching games with Amy. We knew that if we called during the games or when "The Voice" was on, we would not get an answer. Connie also enjoyed staying up with current events and could often be found watching world news. Connie enjoyed playing cards and always wanted to get the bid when playing 500 - regardless if she had the cards or not. She enjoyed her gambling trips with her sisters and many fun memories were made with them. In earlier years, she loved to be on the river, often with a cold beer in her hand. She always appreciated the outdoors - from birds singing to a good morning sunshine or a nice-smelling rain.
Connie is survived by her daughters Amy (Brent) Ashbacher of Holmen, WI; Kelly (Cheryl) Matuszewski of Eagle River, WI; and Erin Chambers of Decorah, IA. Grandchildren Dalton and Carsen Sande, Karinna and Devin Ashbacher, Alexus Dvorak, Mariah, Mallory, and Camren Darling; and two great-grandsons, Owen Meyer and Bryer Marvets. One brother, David Holthaus; one sister, Maxine (Karl) Klotzbach; brothers-in-laws, Norb Bullerman and Dan Schmitt; sisters-in-laws, Sue Holthaus, Elaine Holthaus, and Lorraine Holthaus; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Cory; brothers Adrian, Willard, Ken and Ron Holthaus; and sisters Inez Schmitt, Judy Bullerman, Jane Blair and Pat Seiler; sisters-in-law Mary Ellen (Willard) Holthaus; brother-in-law Douglas (Jane) Blair; niece Teresa Holthaus; and nephew Philip Blair.
Connie's daughters would especially like to thank Connie's sister, Max, for the years of tender loving care she provided. During Connie's long battle with pulmonary fibrosis, Max was her constant support, showing up with strength, compassion, and unwavering loyalty. From appointments to everyday tasks, she gave selflessly and stood with Connie through it all. Her care went beyond duty; it was an act of love. We are so grateful for everything Max did for Connie.
Special thanks to her friend Eileen for all the visits, food, and for ensuring Connie had all the ballgame schedules and getting her to the nurses' gatherings. The family would also like to thank the transplant team at UW Madison, Doctor Andy Goodner, the WinnMed Hospice Team, WinnMed Med-Surg nurses, and the Aase Haugen staff for the compassionate care they provided to Connie.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of
Connie Sande, please click here to visit our sympathy store.