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FITCHBURG - Sandra “Sandy” Jean Stephens, age 74, passed away on May 19, 2026, in Madison, Wis. Sandy was born January 5, 1952, to Edward Stephens and Helen Walchek in Winona, Minn., and married Jim Thompson on September 27, 1986, in Madison, Wis.

Sandy, a lovely, loving and much beloved sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandma, and friend, left us with feelings of sorrow for losing her and relief that she is no longer suffering with major pain. Her cancer was first detected on August 21, 2025. She bravely faced the challenges of cancer treatments and clinical trials with the compassionate help of many skilled and dedicated staff of the Carbone Cancer Center until the end of March when we reached the unanimous decision to move forward with hospice care. She was in the Inpatient Unit of Agrace HospiceCare from April 2 to April 15; then at home until April 28, when she returned to Agrace’s IPU. With dedication, compassion and love the staff at Agrace did their best with the evolving challenges of managing Sandy’s pain. The family recognizes that although the journey was very challenging, we were fortunate to receive excellent and compassionate care through Carbone and Agrace.

Sandy is survived by her sister, Debbie Stephens Paulson (and husband, Jim Paulson); her husband, Jim Thompson; daughters, Stacy (and husband, Thomas Johannsen) and Lauren (and partner, Max Rupp) and grandchildren; Ellie and Jameson in Minnesota; nephews and nieces, Jason in Kentucky, Josh in Texas, Jon in Massachusetts, Laura in England, Ido and Osnat in Israel and Eitan in Wyoming. Her love of family was sincere, unfiltered and unlimited. While missing her physical presence, we carry our memories of her love and selfless dedication to caring for the welfare of her family and friends.

Her four-decade career as an RN took her from an Intensive Care Unit (her first job after nursing school) to wider ranging challenges after returning to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin - Madison to complete her M.S in Nursing. Before we married, she enjoyed backpacking in the U.S. and Canadian Rockies. As a leader of Girl Scout Troop 955, she invested significant energy and love into guiding a group of smart, funny, rambunctious girls. The lasting influence of Sandy’s loving efforts inspired one member of the troop to get a 955 tattoo in the same place on her chest as 955 was on her Girl Scout vest, right over her heart. Indeed, Sandy’s love reproduced itself and moved into and through the lives of more than a few folks of various ages. For several years, Sandy was also the lead scout in finding ideal locations to rent summer beach houses with a group of friends on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the start of the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, those who feel so inclined could donate to their favorite charity. Among others, some of Sandy’s favorites would include Agrace HospiceCare, UW Carbone Cancer Center, the UW Arboretum, and Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Sandra Stephens

January 05, 1952 - May 19, 2026

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