Dorothy Vander Sande, age 93, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Casa De Oakes, Reedsburg, Wisconsin.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Dorothy was born February 7, 1931 in Stoughton, Wisconsin, the daughter of William and Daisy (Dant) Stanford. She was the fourth of nine siblings born to this union. At the tender age of six, Dorothy and all of her siblings were removed from the custody of their parents and placed in the orphanage in Sparta, Wisconsin. Dorothy learned at a very early age what it took to survive, and the value of family. Anyone who knew her could tell you what a spitfire she was! You never had to wonder where you stood with her--she let you know in no uncertain terms. Her fierceness and passion for life also made her the life of the party. Whether it was a holiday, birthday, playing cards, or out for dinner, there was always lots of laughter and a good time was had by all! In her early 20's, Dorothy was working at Schultz Plumbing in Wisconsin Dells where she met a handsome young plumber by the name of Donald Vander Sande. Don would torment Dorothy by cutting off the tips of her cigarettes with his tinsnips and poking his finger in every one of the chocolates Dorothy received from another interested suitor. They married on August 12, 1955. Dorothy had many jobs over the years, but none were as important to her as being the best wife and mother she could be. She was always the wind beneath our wings. Dorothy worked for several years at Badger Ordinance in the 1970's, where she developed many lifelong friends. She also took a wonderful trip to Hawaii with her good friend Marie Belcher in 1973. Dorothy continued to work into her 80's. She loved to be busy and be around people. She especially loved going to the casinos! It was more for the busy environment and camaraderie than anything else. Don and Dorothy took many family trips around the United States and Canada. They also had some great vacations with their good friends Nate and Eleanor Miller, and Dorothy's sister Irene and her husband Richard Gunderson. Dorothy was a great cook, as Don could attest to! Nothing bad ever came out of her kitchen. One of Dorothy's favorite pastimes was to pick strawberries, cherries and blueberries, even going to Michigan to find the best ones. Another passion Dorothy developed in her later years was her interest in politics. Boy, could she ever get fired up over that! But probably the thing Dorothy will be remembered most for will be what a wonderful mom and grandmother she was. She loved her children and grandchildren with her whole heart. "My mother taught me everything......except how to live without her."

Dorothy is survived by her son, Steve (Mindy Ferdon); daughter, Dawn (Bob) Corning; grandchildren, Tom, Amanda, Lindy (Casey), Paige (Ethan), Shane, Sarah (Patrick); and 5 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by sisters-in-law, Dorothy Neitzel and Dolly Stanford. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; her siblings, Charlie, Mary, Irene, Norma, William, Herbert, Florence and Hubert and daughter-in-law, Cindy.