Cassandra Anne "Sandy" Erdmann-Rothlisberg

Cassandra Anne "Sandy" Erdmann-Rothlisberg, 76, of Grandview Plaza, KS, died Monday, April 4, 2022 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the JC Naz Church, 1025 S. Washington Street, Junction City, KS. A dinner will follow at the American Legion.

Sandy was born on May 12, 1945 in Appleton, Wisconsin to Roy G. Raess and Violet A. Raess (Nagreen).

She graduated from Appleton- West High School in 1964. Soon after graduation Sandy met James "Jim" Lee Erdmann on a blind date set up by mutual friends. Jim married Sandy on June 18, 1966 while attending UW- Madison as an undergraduate student. The couple moved into Married Student Housing located on the UW- Madison Campus after taking a short honeymoon in Northern Wisconsin at the family cottage and Mackinac Island. Sandy didn't waste any time upon returning to Madison and immediately began looking for a job and was thrilled when asked if she had time for an interview. At the completion of that interview, Sandy was hired "on the spot" and actually started working the very next day for the State of Wisconsin in the Department of Systems Administration.

Sandy continued working for the State of Wisconsin while her husband pursued a Master's Degree with the intent of starting a family soon. Days, months and years passed by and adoption became the couple's decision after pregnancy just wasn't possible. On May 23, 1975 Sandy and Jim finally became proud parents of a healthy baby boy they named Patrick James Erdmann by way of legal adoption/ Adjusting well to their new lives as parents, Sandy and Jim moved to Beaver Dam that was located within Dodge County, Wisconsin later that year.

Jim began a new position as the Executive Director of the Dodge County Planning Department and Sandy continued to maintain her employment with the State of Wisconsin, now working directly with the Presidents of the entire University of Wisconsin Systems. Sandy was the "go-to" woman for when her co-workers and colleagues had issues or problems needing resolution. She was most famous for organizing and planning the Saturday morning brunches that were held at the Britingham House for every Badger Football home game having more than 300 guests in attendance.

The announcement that Sandy was pregnant surprised both family and friends and on April 7, 1976 Sandy gave birth to a baby girl the couple named Jennifer Anne Erdmann. And although both had to commute, Sandy and Jim enjoyed Beaver Dam so much that they stayed and raised their children for the next 20 years.

During these 20 years, nearly every weekend and holiday was spent enjoying the great outdoors at the family cottage located on Big Lake in Vilas County. Sandy especially enjoyed gathering with other immediate family members creating lifelong memories with her children and their cousins. Sandy was very involved in her children's lives and even became the Board of Directors President for the daycare center, Community Care For Kids, that Patrick and Jenny attended. She continued as the Community Care For Kids Board President for many years even after Patrick and Jenny no longer needed after school childcare. Sandy encouraged and supported her children's activities including their desires to participate in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, orchestra, band and several different sports. There were very few concerts and games Sandy did not attend throughout all their school years.

Another special event Sandy never missed was the first weekend in August where she took center stage in the annual parade honoring her grandfather, Hamburger Charlie (Charles Nagreen invented the hamburger in 1885), as part of the Hamburger Festival celebration in Seymour, WI.

During the Thanksgiving holiday of 1995, Sandy's husband shared the devastating news that he had terminal cancer. One month after Sandy and Jim celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, Sandy's husband passed away on July 18, 1996. Several years later, Sandy sold the family's home in Beaver Dam and moved to Madison, WI to eliminate the long commute to work. Sandy also held a part-time position and worked evening and weekend shifts in the Jewelry Department at Kohl’s
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While attending her 40th high school class reunion Sandy had the pleasure of meeting Allan Rothlisberg. Allan and Sandy fell in love. Allan soon proposed and married Sandy on July 30, 2004. Sandy instantly became Mom to Allan's three grown children: Amy, David and Michelle as well as a Grandmother to Kayla and Sabrena. That same week, Sandy, being one of the most hard working and dedicated employees the State of Wisconsin ever had the joy to employ, finally retired after 38 years. She moved to Grandview Plaza, Kansas where Allan had been recently living after retiring from the Army. Sandy and Allan built a new home for themselves large enough to host their children and grandchildren comfortably during visits. Sandy and Allan were blessed with two additional grandchildren when Sandy's daughter Jenny gave birth to Lucas in 2014 and Violet in 2017. Sandy was now known as Nana and Allan was now Opa.

Both Sandy and Allan actively participated in several community organizations and clubs including the Geary County Senior Center, the Lions Club of Milford, KS as well as the American Legion Post 45. Sandy delivered "Meals on Wheels" to seniors living in the community for many years. She also helped campaign for her husband, Allan, while running for Kansas State House of Representatives and continued to support her husband after he was elected. Sandy enjoyed listening to the JC band concerts, watching plays at the Opera House, playing bingo and cards at the Sr. Center and also testing her luck playing her favorite slot machines at the Prairie Band Casino.

Sandy had recently become a surviving widow again when just this last year she lost her second husband, Allan, on May 4, 2021 just a few months shy of their 17th anniversary.

Sandy had a smile that was contagious! Always actively involved and participating within the communities she lived, she always found time to watch and spoil her grandkids. Sandy had platinum hair and a heart of gold. She will be missed by the many lives and hearts she touched but especially missed by her loving family.

Survivors include: her son Patrick J. Erdmann (Rebecca Vickers)- Bangkok, Thailand; her daughter Jennifer A. Erdmann- Wakefield, KS; step-son David Rothlisberg- Appleton, WI; step-daughters Amy and Michelle Rothlisberg- Menasha, WI; one grandson Lucas Nienhaus- Wakefield, KS; granddaughters Violet Nienhaus- Wakefield, KS; Kayla Flores and Sabrena Flores- Menasha, WI; sister-in-laws Sue Erdmann- Menasha, WI; Jeannie (Jim) Evans- Neenah, WI; Judy (Jim) Ziehm- Waldo, WI as well as several nieces including Wendy (Dan) Perkins; Jodi (Dan) Vollbrecht; Christie (Drew) Catron; Katie (Eric) Dehn and nephews John Raess, Robert (Amy) Ziehm and Tim (Chris) Evans.

Preceded in death by: her father Roy G. Raess; her husband James L. Erdmann; her mother Violet Guarke (Nagreen); her brother James Raess; her husband Allan B. Rothlisberg and her nephew Steven Raess.

In honor of her favorite organizations, please send memorial contributions to either the Geary County Senior Center or the Milford Lions Club.


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