A beautiful, kind soul, Sandra J. Herning, quietly passed into Heaven on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Sandy was born the youngest of three children to the late Harlan and Ethel McMahon on Feb. 28, 1950.
She graduated from Suring High School in 1968 and soon after met the love of her life, Jim Herning. They were married on March 1, 1969, and in August, they welcomed their son, Scott, home. They were blessed with 51 wonderful years together before Jim passed away of cancer in 2020. We are sure that Jim was with her as she left this earth and helped her to make her way to the pearly gates of Heaven.
Sandy was not the type to flaunt her strengths, but she proved how strong she was time after time after being diagnosed with MS in her late 20s. She continued to work as a secretary at Memline until the effects of MS forced her to quit, but she found ways to continue to do the things she loved most.
She was always baking delicious desserts, and loved being a housewife and mother and spending time with her family. Everyone enjoyed sitting at the kitchen table talking with her, and she looked forward to having visitors to laugh with. She always looked at the bright side of every situation and never felt sorry for herself because of her disabilities. If you needed a reason to smile, you only needed to visit with her for a while, you would be feeling better in no time.
Sandy loved spending time with her grandsons, Cole, Tyler and Jerid, and great-grandson, Asher. She positively beamed when she got to spend time with them and there was never enough time to spoil them. She spent many hours in the big picture window waiting to wave as any of us happened to drive by. She even found some white gloves to wear, just in case we couldn’t see her well enough.
She loved very deeply and was never afraid to say “love you more.”
Sandy will be greatly missed by her son, Scott (Sue) Herning, of Suring: three grandsons, Cole (Danielle) Herning, Tyler Herning, and Jerid Herning; and great-grandson, Asher Herning. She is further survived by her sister, Karen (Randy) Druckrey; sisters-in-law, Sue McMahon and Ora Lee (John) Reindl; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents; brother, Kenneth; and a nephew, Dean Schulz.
A memorial service will be held at Gruetzmacher Funeral Home at a later date. The service will be announced when the dates are available.
Gruetzmacher Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.
Special thanks to the staff at Meadowbrook of Oconto Falls for their kindness and the care given to her while a resident. Sandy’s family is grateful for the compassion you showed her.
Sandra J. Herning
