Reeta F. Sandsnes
March 12, 1935 - November 03, 2015
Obituary
MONONA-Reeta F. (Smith) Sandsnes, age 80, of Monona, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015 at Agrace HospiceCare after losing her battle with breast cancer. She was born on March 12, 1935, in Ladysmith, during her childhood she lived in Jump River until her family moved to Medford. Reeta was born to Iris and Lloyd Smith, Sr. and was united in marriage to Arden "Sandy" Sandsnes also from Medford.
Reeta is survived by her children, Carl Sandsnes, Terri Zimmerman and Eric Sandsnes; five grandchildren, Jeremy (Sarah), Michael (Melissa) and Donald Sandsnes, Chad (Jessica) Zimmerman and Christine (Michael) Paisant; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Sandra (Dawson) Usack; and brothers, Clayton, Lance (Maxine), Bruce (Janice) and Mark (Anne) Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arden; son, Christian; her parents; brother, Lloyd Smith, Jr.; and sister, Patricia Faude.
To Reeta, family was always the most important part of her life. She always had time for family who stopped to talk or just to have a fun time chatting. Her long-standing friendships were very special to her, and she enjoyed the time and trips she spent with them. Reeta was always busy planting flowers, trips to the cabin, traveling to any where there was a lake, river or ocean, and spending time with the people she loved in the outdoors.
Reeta worked for the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities before she retired and previously worked at the Wisconsin Pharmacists Association. She also volunteered her time for the Madison Sports Car Club for many years, was a poll worker during elections and was a volunteer for the Child Abuse Hotline.
A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Monona, at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, with the Rev. Jerry Amstutz presiding. A private family burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park at a later date. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Reeta's name to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy., Madison, WI 53711. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
Monona, WI 53716
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Mon Nov 9, 2015 @ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Mon Nov 9, 2015 @ 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Reeta have been shared yet.
Memories
CS
Craig Smith
Other •
Our Condolences to my cousin Reeta's family. I remember Reeta and her husband Arden as being vibrant, active, fun loving people that appreciated life, and loved family. May she rest in peace.
Love and Blessings,
Craig and Marsha Smith Family
BG
Becky Gruenhagen
Other •
My thoughts & prayers for the entire Sandsnes family. She was an amazing person and know she will be dearly missed. I hope knowing that she is no longer suffering & is finally at peace with ATS will help you through this difficult time. HUGS - Becky Kosmeder Gruenhagen
GW
Gail Woelfle
Other •
You may not know this, but Reeta was a Daisy - at least to me. It all started when several years ago, Reeta, Ronda, Ronda's mom Nancy, and me (Gail) took a trip to Maine. We flew in and drove to the Easternmost point of the U.S. and stayed at a lovely cabin on the water's edge. Reeta was in heaven!! We would take day trips - Ronda driving, me navigating and Reeta and Nancy in the backseat being escorted around - just like Miss Daisy in the movie Driving Miss Daisy. So Reeta and Nancy became known as our "Daisies". We recently added our 3rd Daisy when my mother-in-law, Pat joined the fun. You may have seen some of the pictures around or heard the stories where the 3 Daisies obliged the photographer in me and posed as "See no evil (covering their eyes) , Speak no evil (covering their mout), hear no evil (covering their ears)". They exchanged roles in each shot and always laughed doing so. I have fond memories of my times with Reeta and will always have a special spot in my heart for her. I am very grateful for having known her and being a part of her life. She will be missed....
RG
Rick Griesser
Other •
Eric and family-
So very sorry for your loss.