Sheila Joan Vander Sanden (nee Nack), 73, of Estero, Florida, passed away Nov. 27, 2024, after a longtime battle with Inclusion Body Myositis. She was born March 2, 1951, in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, to the late Robert and Alice (nee Vander Bloomen) Nack.

One of six, she had many happy childhood memories with her siblings. In high school, she met the love of her life - Daniel Vander Sanden, from Little Chute. Their first date was to senior prom in 1969. They got married on June 9, 1972, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kaukauna. The newlyweds moved to Milwaukee, where Sheila took a job at Derse Advertising Company as a key punch operator. This opened the door for Dan, who would also land a job there, work his way up, and eventually become part-owner of the business that specializes in exhibits. Sheila worked there for five years before they started a family in 1977 and bought their Franklin home, where they would raise three children and reside for decades.

While Sheila stayed home to raise Ben, Adam and Laura, she also found fulfillment as a compassionate friend, church and school volunteer, and as a proud Weight Watchers leader. She especially enjoyed annual family vacations to Fox Hills Resort and routinely visiting extended family back home.

After Dan's passing of kidney cancer on Feb. 7, 2005, Sheila filled her time with many long walks, bike rides, church support groups, book clubs, cards and board games, swing dancing, volunteer opportunities, and traveling. She was not one to pass up a deal, say a prayer at "lucky times" (11:11), or shy away from wearing the most festive holiday attire.

She was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary Catholic Faith Community in Hales Corners for more than three decades.

In 2011, she moved to Florida where she spent winters filled with sunshine, family visits and newfound friends.

In 2015, she was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease. In 2019 she bravely adapted to life on a G-PEG feeding tube. Despite the difficult lifestyle change, she often said the feeding tube allowed her to still enjoy life, watch her grandchildren grow and create many more memories that she otherwise would not have experienced.

She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend. Sheila is survived by her three children: Benjamin (Maureen), Adam (Katie) and Laura (Jim) Bush; her seven grandchildren: Isabelle, Caleb, Benjamin II, Piper, Macaulay, Charlotte and Ruby; siblings Barbara (Robert) Vander Zanden, Cindy Nack Boots, Robert (Mary) Nack, Thomas (Susan) Nack, and Polly (Steve) Novitski; companion Kenneth Brugger, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and valued friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband and his parents, Casey and Betty.

Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 2:45 p.m., with Funeral Mass to follow at St. Mary Catholic Faith Community, 9520 W. Forest Home Avenue, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sheila's name to feeding tube advocacy group The Oley Foundation or The Myositis Association are appreciated.

Oley Foundation: https://oley.org/

https://www.myositis.org/