Sandra Ann Botz

Sandra Ann Berg Botz,
(nee Norby)
October 8, 1939 - March 22, 2024
"Sandy" passed away March 22, 2024, at Froedtert Community Memorial Hospital, following a hard-fought battle with cancer. Sandy was born October 8, 1939, to Harold and Sylvia Norby in Milwaukee, WI. She is survived by her husband, Robert Botz, and her children, Lise (Jeff), Jennifer, Jason (Rhonda), Carrie and Stephanie (Aaron), stepmother Jean Norby, half-brother Kent Norby (Selinda), stepsister Pat Holgum, stepbrothers Mike and Ron Lasher, and stepdaughter Allyson Botz Wong (Rowland).
Sandy is preceded in death by her father Harold Norby, Mother Sylvia Norby (nee Sutherland), husband Walter Berg, and son Cary Joel Berg.
"Gramz" had 7 grandchildren - Seth, Cody, Teddy (Bre), Justin, Sam (Tara), Steffen (Michaela), Meagan (Mitch) - and 9 great grandchildren - Elodie, Penny, Giulia, Posy, Goldie, Rhys, Sylvie, Olivia, James, and one more on the way in June 2024, to be named Holden.
As an only child she grew up in Milwaukee near the Harley-Davidson factory and had fond memories of growing up in the Cold Springs neighborhood. She remembers Harley workers throwing pennies over the fence for the neighborhood kids. She fondly recalled spending time with her parents, having root beer floats and popcorn on Saturday nights.
She met Walter while working at the A&P grocery store. He caught sight of her and made sure to check out in her aisle to meet her. They married April 9th, 1959, and they raised their 5 children together in a home they built in Colgate, surrounded by tree lined fields and a nearby apple orchard. In the early days they and their 5 children drove around in their only vehicle - a yellow VW Bug.
She married Robert Botz in November 2015, and they enjoyed spending time up north, watching trains, listening to music, fishing, and visiting friends.
Sandy was devoted to her faith and remained steadfast her whole life, preaching and being involved with friends in her congregation, always holding on to her hope for the future.
Back in the old days she organized and planned large picnics and parties, with musicals and shows. She loved to knit, crochet, sew, paint, and take photographs, and she was always busy creating something. She knit blankets and beautiful outfits for her grandkids, and she made toys and clothes when her kids were young - even a dollhouse with hand-built wood furniture. She made the best bread and cinnamon rolls and had cookies waiting after school for her kids, which we all fondly remember.
Gardening was always her hobby, creating bee and butterfly sanctuaries and searching for special plants at garden stores. She saved and released hundreds of monarch butterflies over the years. She loved terrariums and little ponds with tadpoles and fish. She loved to collect beach glass and special stones while walking the shores of Lake Michigan. She loved her huskies and had 4 over the years - Morgan, Prancer, Lizzie, and Juliette.
During her illness she started painting with watercolors and creating her own stationary. She made beautiful hand-painted cards, wrote poetry and personalized words for her doctor, special nurses and even the valet at the hospital. She became pen-pals with many people of all ages. She looked forward to writing and receiving all those letters, a highlight during her illness.
She loved history and studied ancient geographical regions and Biblical history and could relate facts and names that never ceased to amaze us. She loved to read and had an incredible book collection. Always a sharp dresser, she had an amazing wardrobe of floral dresses, scarfs, necklaces and hats, all color coordinated, and she always walked out the door looking her best, even in her final days.
Sandy inspired everyone to stay positive, especially during difficult times. She never complained and showed incredible strength during her years of cancer treatments, always holding on to hope. She will be remembered as a kind and loving person, dear to so many. We will always think of her when we see a beautiful monarch floating in the sky, or the scent of garlic rolls, a reflection of stones in the water, patches of lilies of the valley, crocuses popping up in Spring and endless more special little things.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at CHURCH AND CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 1875 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield, from 2:00 PM until the time of a Memorial talk at 4:00 PM. She will be buried at Sunnyside Cemetery in Lannon, next to Walter Berg.
A livestream will be available beginning at 3:00 PM via the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcxMTk5NjcyMjMwMjYwMSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
As well, you are welcome to return after the service and see a recording of the live stream for 90 days following the service.
Church & Chapel Funeral Service Serving the Family
Milw. 262-827-0659 Wauk. 262-549-0659
Online Obit, Condolences, Directions
www.churchandchapel.com