Sylvia F. Wankerl

SUN PRAIRIE - Sylvia F. Wankerl, age 65, of Sun Prairie, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024, at her home. She was born on May 15, 1958, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the daughter of Etien “Rudy” and Francisca (Van Woelderen) Chatelin. When Sylvia was 3 years old, her family immigrated to the United States and settled in the Madison area. She was especially proud when, in 2008, she became a naturalized citizen of the U.S.  

Sylvia graduated from Queen of Apostles High School in Madison in 1977. She had one son, Alex Wankerl, from a previous marriage.

Sylvia worked at Davis Duehr Dean for over 30 years, most recently as an optical technician at the Dean Eye Clinic on Regent Street. She also had a side business cleaning homes, at times traveling as far as Chicago, and most recently cleaned for the Jeff Scott Olson Law Firm on weekends.

Sylvia was soft-spoken and petite in stature, but she had a big heart and a kind soul. She loved taking photos at events because she wanted to remember everything she could about the people who mattered to her. She enjoyed hosting family and friends at her home. When you were with Sylvia, she always made sure you felt like you were the most important person in the room. In her free time, she enjoyed watching classic television shows, cleaning and organizing for herself and for others and doting on the family she loved so much. Sylvia was an excellent cook and always was prepared to feed anyone who stopped by unannounced. Most recently, she spent time perfecting some traditional Dutch recipes that were passed down from her mother and grandmother.

Sylvia’s shining moment came in April 2022 when she proudly celebrated as her son, Alex, married Allison “Allie” Hinga. She was smiling from ear to ear, and you could see on her face how happy she was for Alex and how excited she was to have a daughter-in-law.

Sylvia is survived by her son, Alex (Allie) Wankerl, of Dubuque, Iowa; aunt, Henriette (Norman) Hawkins; uncle, Richard (Bernadette) Van Woelderen; close cousins, Chandra and Cody Kleinsmith and Derek (Brent) Van Woelderen; along with many other cousins, relatives and friends, including her work family at Dean SSM Health. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rudy and Francisca; uncles, Edward and Henry Van Woelderen; and her aunt, Sonja Van Woelderen.

A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

Memorials may be gifted in Sylvia’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420