Sandra G. Ruecker

August 29, 1940 - September 10, 2008

Born: August 29, 1940

Died: September 10, 2008

Services: Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, September 15th at 4 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Theresa, Wisconsin.

Visitation: Visitation will take place at St. Theresa Catholic Church on Monday, September 15th from 2 p.m. until the start of service at 4 p.m.

Sandra G. Ruecker passed away peacefully at her home in Theresa on September 10th surrounded by her husband and other family members. Sandy was born to George M. and Helen Marie (Funk) Coulter on August 29, 1940 in the Town of Wayne. She attended Mullen School, Columbus School, Campbellsport Junior and Senior High Schools. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1963.

After graduation, she joined the staff at St. Agnes Hospital Laboratory. Sandy worked in various areas of the laboratory before becoming Section Chief of Immunohematology. As Section Chief, she ran the blood bank and assisted in training Medical Technology students for their degrees in the field of Medical Technology. Sandy left St. Agnes Hospital in 1990 and went to work at St. Josephs Community Hospital (now part of Synergy Health Systems) and served in the same capacity as she had at St. Agnes until her retirement in 2004.

On October 15, 1966 she was united in marriage with her best friend, James A. Ruecker. Throughout their marriage, Sandy and Jim enjoyed playing golf together, watching the Wisconsin sports teams games, traveling and an occasional trip to the casino. Sandy especially enjoyed reading and knitting and spending time with numerous nieces and nephews, including now second and third generations. Never having any family of their own she and Jim had the opportunity to enjoy relative’s children.

After attending the UW until the time of her marriage, Sandy lived with her sister and brother-in-law (Marge and Myron Lamers) during which she considered Myron Lamers as her adopted dad and their children as little brothers and sisters. Therefore, she is survived by Myron Lamers of Lomira, Mark (Linda) of Franklin, Mike (Jeanne) of Beaver Dam, Mary (Dave) Tkach of Coon Rapids, MN, Stanley (Nancy) of Theresa, Stephanie (Dean) Buerger of Brownsville, Michelle (Jeff) Bloch of Brownsville, Ted of Olathe, KA, and Tim (Lynanne) of Theresa.

Sandy is survived by her husband James; her real brothers and sisters- Bette (Ed) Quandt of Lomira, John (Patricia) of Kewaskum, Glen of Juneau, Neil of Theresa, Gwen (Rich) Kallmann of Florence, and Paulette (Edgar) Coulter-Zeitler of Guam. Also surviving are her brother-in-law Ralph Ruecker of Theresa and sisters-in-law Pearl Dejanovich of Mayville, Mary Lou Zangl of Lomira, and June (Robert) Zimmerman of Fond du Lac, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great, great-nieces and nephews.

Sandy was proceeded in death by her parents, 2 sisters Marguerite Lamers and Enida Roth, and 1 brother Keith Coulter.

Professional organizations that Sandy belonged to were ASCP, WAMT, and AABB. She was also very active in St. Mary/St. Theresa parishes serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Cup Minister, Council Secretary, and Trustee for St. Theresa parish and CCLT. Organizing class reunions for her Campbellsport High School class and her husbands Mayville High School class were fun things she enjoyed.

The family will receive visitors and friends from 2:00 till 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15th at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Theresa followed by a Mass of Christian Burial and a meal. Inurnment will take place at St. Theresa Memorial Gardens for family members only. Services will be conducted by Rev. Father Dennis Budka. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or St. Theresa Educational Trust Fund.

Coming from a large family, Sandy and her sisters developed close, loving, and very special relationships with each other. Thanks for the memories!

Special thanks to Seasons Hospice for their special care.

Sandy planned her services and wrote this obituary for her family and friends.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the St. Theresa Educational Trust Fund.

Church: St. Theresa Catholic Church (Map)

Born: August 29, 1940 Died: September 10, 2008 Services: Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, September 15th at 4 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Theresa, Wisconsin. Visitation: Visitation will take place at St. Theresa Catholic Church on Monday, September 15th from 2 p.m. until the start of service at 4 p.m.Continue Reading

See Condolences

Dear Ruecker and Coulter Family,
The first time I met Sandy she informed me that she had been my dad's date at the Campbellsport HS homecoming dance. I always thought of her as a great mentor and friend. My passion for blood bank was fueled by her devotion to teaching. I loved working side-by-side with Sandy and will truly miss her kind, gentle personality. I owe my success to her graciousness and motivating works of wisdom. I wiss I could have made the funeral, but only heard of the event as of late. Please accept my sympathy. Your family is in our prayers.

With Sympathy,

Dwane A. Klostermann
(former colleague and friend)

Our deepest sympathy to Sandy's family.
May she rest in peace.
Ed and Ramona Dreher

My most sincere condolences to Sandys family,especially Johnny and Pat.

You Have My Sympathy In The Loss Of Sandy!
May She Rest In Peace!
In God We Trust!
Coulter Family Genealogist:
John Henry Vorpahl,Jr. West Bend~~

The world has lost a beautiful women whom I respected all the years that we worked together. May her heavenly home find her watching over all of us who loved her.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Jim, so sorry to hear of the passing of Sandy. It had been a pleasant surprise finding someone I knew in that infusion room.Your love for Sandy was so touching, the way you held her hand all during treatment. Take care of yourself and I hope to see you back at work in a month or so.

Sandy was a great inspiration to me when I was a medical technology student at St. Agnes. She helped me learn a great deal about our career, myself, and how to be gracious and patient with others. My condolences to her friends and family - I will always be eternally grateful to her.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.