Sandra S. Kniska

Sandra Sue Kniska, 84, of Bucyrus, passed peacefully on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Altercare of Bucyrus.

She was born on February 4, 1941 in Bryan, Ohio to the late Millard W. and Dorothy C. (Hesrick) Strong. Sandy was a 1959 graduate of Bryan High School and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University in 1963. She began her teaching career at Atkinson Elementary School in Fremont, Ohio where she taught kindergarten. The next year, Sandy moved to Bucyrus and taught first grade at Kilbourne for four years. It was at Bucyrus Schools where she met George “Tom” Kniska and on November 23, 1968, they married, sharing 42 years of marriage before his passing on April 10, 2010. As she and Tom began a family, Sandy took a break from educating others to focus on the care of her family. As their children grew, Sandy returned to teaching kindergarten at Kilbourne and later retired from teaching at Lincoln School in 2000.

In addition to building strong foundations for area youth as an educator, Sandy enjoyed playing euchre and was responsible for the weekly card game at the Bucyrus Moose Lodge for many years. She was always up for a trip to a casino and whether going to Las Vegas or visiting one more local, penny slots were her game of choice. She watched many college football games and always made sure to clear her schedule when her OSU Buckeyes took the field. Sandy enjoyed catching up with friends and fellow educators at their weekly lunches and in more recent years, enjoyed working puzzles, sudoku games and word finds.

Sandy was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church; a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar; member of the Kappa Delta Sorority; American Legion and Bucyrus Moose Lodge as well as volunteering many hours at the Bucyrus Hospital Gift Shop.

She is survived by son, John Walter Kniska of Mt. Prospect, IL; daughter, Kara Sue Kniska of Kirkwood, MO as well as many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours for Sandy will be held from 11 – 12:55 pm on Friday, January 2 at Wise Funeral Service, immediately followed by a funeral liturgy at 1:00 pm with Fr. Paul Fahrbach officiating. She will be laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made payable to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and these gifts will be accepted through the funeral home. Online memories and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on her guestbook page at www.wisefuneral.com.