RACINE - Surrounded by her loving family, Mary G. (nee: Hegeman) Sands, 88, passed away Monday, June 28, 2010, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. She was born in Burlington on July 4, 1921, daughter of the late Theodore and Mary (nee: Harter) Hegeman. On July 8, 1943, Mary was united in marriage to Allen L. Sands, who preceded her in death on July 7, 1995. Mary graduated from Union Grove Teacher's College in 1941 and came to Racine to teach at the old Lamberton Grade School. After marriage, she continued teaching until her children were born, during which time she helped operate the family farm. She returned to teaching and continued her education, graduating from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1971. After 23 years, she retired in 1984 from the Racine Unified School District as a Reading Specialist at Dr. Jones School. Mary was a member of St. Rita's Catholic Church, Third Order of St. Augustine, Christian Mothers, St. Jude Circle, Wisconsin Retired Teachers Association, Racine Retired Teachers Association, and neighborhood card clubs. She was very active with the Lamberton 4-H Club, serving as General Leader for many years. Following retirement, Mary enjoyed traveling with her husband, relatives, and friends. She also delivered Meals on Wheels, volunteered at Ridgewood Care Center through RSVP, the Alpha Center, Community Meals, and the CARES Program. She continued to share her passion for reading by volunteering with the Literacy Council. She will be dearly missed. Mary is survived by three daughters and sons-in- law, Lynda (Charles) Lechner of Racine, Elaine (Al) Fisa of Wisconsin Rapids, Claudia (Jim) Mielke of Beaver Dam; three sons and daughters- in-law, David (Nancy) Sands of Union Grove, Marvin (Deborah) Sands of Texas, and Kenneth (Cheryl) Sands of Racine; eight grandchildren, Chip (Margaret) Lechner, Lori (Keith) Lanzendorf, Pamela (Matt) Mordja, Angela (Todd) Prange, Kristy (Jed) Hunter, Tricia, Mitch, and Ben Sands; seven great-grandchil- dren, Jaedan and Coley Prange, Brooke and Chase Lechner, Trent and Nathan Mordja, Veronica Hunter; sister, Marge Abendroth; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Dora, Sr. Mary Theodore OSF, Matilda, Genevieve, Lucille, Elizabeth, Jeanne; brothers, Joseph, Arthur, Edward, Robert, and Roman; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Avenue, Friday, July 2, 2010, 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Joseph G. Stobba OSA officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Highway 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Thursday from 5 until 7 p.m. and Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. Memorials to St. Rita's Catholic Church or Wheaton Franciscan Hospice have been suggested. The family also wishes to thank the staff at Willowgreen Incorporated and at the Wheaton Franciscan Cardiac Institute for their loving and compassionate care to Mary. MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME 803 Main Street 634-7888 Please send condolences to: www.meredithfuneralhome.com

Published in Racine Journal Times on June 30, 2010