Sandra Gravunder

Sandra Lee Bush Gravunder, age 78, of Abbotsford, ended her journey in this lifetime on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, at her home surrounded by loved ones.

Sandy was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, on July 22, 1944, to the late Edward “Perry” and Carol Juanita (Snyder) Bush. She lived in Pleasant Lake, Ind., Dayton, Ohio, Conrath, Bloomer and Eau Claire, and ended up living in Abbotsford.

In 1969, Sandy graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a degree in business and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Technology. For 32 years she taught at CVTC in Eau Claire, retiring in 2000 to care for her significant other, Arthur W. Schmidt. She enjoyed her students.

Sandy always loved her animal pets and treated them like family. A special dog was a papillon named Spirit given to her by a friend who passed. Spirit became a therapy dog who loved her work at Sacred Heart Hospital where her spirit lives on. Sandy had one horse in her lifetime, Cheyenne, who she did a lot of ground work with and developed a special relationship with.

Moving to Abbotsford let her be closer to family. Part of that family included a special great grandson, Jaxton Darwin Boushon, whom she was always happy to be with.

Sewing became a major hobby in retirement which included involvement in the American Sewing Guild where she met and interacted with members. These members, too many to name, became great friends. Sandy is survived by her daughter, Joy (Bill) Klimpke; son, Alex (Renee) Gravunder;grandchildren:LucasWamhoff (Carrie Rosenthal) and Baily Gravunder; great-grandson, Jaxton Boushon; brother, William Edwin (Louann) Bush; sisters: Susan Roberta Tylee and Rebecca (Jerry) Ebert; special friend and caregiver, Zach; her devoted dachshund, Adeline; many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlyn Gravunder; significant other, Arthur Schmidt; her parents; and brother-in-law, Michael Tylee.

A special thank you to St. Croix Hospice for their care.

A memorial service was held at 12 noon on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire with Reverend Tom Westcott presiding. Visitation was 2 hours prior to service. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire. Evergreen Funeral Home and Crematory in Eau Claire is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Trinity Lutheran Church https://trinityec. org/give/ or the Arlyn and Sandra Gravunder Scholarship at UW-EC https://connect.uwec.edu/ donate.

To send your condolence and/or share a story of Sandy with the family, please visit our obituaries at www.evergreenfuneralhome.com. Paid obituary 128928