Sandy Gutowski, (also affectionately known to some as Sandra Beeba), passed away peacefully at the age of 63 on July 29th, 2026, with her sister, Lori, by her side.

She had a two-month struggle with cancer and spent her last two weeks at the Center for Advanced Care at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where she received excellent care.

Sandy was born on July 19th, 1963, in Milwaukee to the late Stanley and Dolores Gutowski (nee Olson). She graduated from John Marshall High School and received a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After college, she married her beloved husband, the late Jon Hugdahl on September 4th, 1994.

She was a long-time member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) where she took part in many activities, including the youth programs, conventions, women’s softball team, Easter Breakfasts, and particularly the Choir. She started singing as a child and worked her way up to the Senior Choir, who traveled to Germany to perform in various venues. Growing up in that church gave her a second family who supported her in the best and worst of times.

Sandy enjoyed travel and had wonderful memories of trips to the Olson family farm, Spring Green, Door County, Las Vegas, Colorado, Maryland, California, Hawaii, Germany, and a recent river cruise from Berlin to Prague. She also loved sports, especially watching baseball and football.

Sandy was an exceptional writer with a wonderful sense of humor and a very quick wit. She made ordinary notes and cards extraordinary with her creativity. She shared her gift with others when needed or requested.

Her employment included a variety of work in the healthcare field starting at Medical Health Pharmacy. She then moved on to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for 39 years. She started as a pharmacy technician, central scheduler and then a Senior Administrative Assistant of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Sandy was the loving sister to Carol (Tom) Menting and Lori Gutowski. She was the cherished aunt of Christopher Menting, and doting great-aunt to Vallie, Conley and Madden, shared with Jackie. She is survived by other family members and numerous friends.

Words cannot fully express how thankful we are to the team of caregivers at the Center for Advanced Care. They not only looked after Sandy’s physical needs; they treated her with such grace, respect and compassion. Knowing she was in such caring hands made a painful time easier for all of us to bear.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 17th, 2026 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at J & B’s Sports Bar and Blue Ribbon Taproom at 5230 W. Bluemound Road in Milwaukee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Sandy’s name to any of the following charities (Ronald McDonald House, the American Cancer Society, PBS, the Humane Society, the Hunger Task Force to name a few or the charity of your choice).