Obituaries

Madison – Sandra Deanna Paske, age 79, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in West Bend, WI. She was born on May 5, 1945, in Viroqua, WI, the daughter of Aaron and Beatrice (Weeden) Joseph. Sandra lived on the family farm in La Farge, WI and fondly recalled going to local dances and having neighbors over to the family house to play music, dance and 4-H meetings. Hunting and fishing were also important aspects of her family life. During high school, she moved with her family to De Forest /Token Creek, WI area where Sandra married Gary Paske. She would continue to enjoy these activities with her own children: Sandra, Robert, Charmaine and Raymond.

Sandra had a desire for learning and a love of the Arts which led her on an educational journey. As a child, her education started in a one-room schoolhouse in Little Bear Valley. Later Sandra persisted in achieving a higher education for herself which began at Madison Area Technical College. In 1977, Sandra was the first student at MATC to transfer Liberal Art credits to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Paving a way for others to follow.

Through UW-Madison Sandra obtained BS in Art Education 1979 and Master’s Library Science 1995. She was trained in medical illustration drawing and had a passion for photography. Sandra was an Art Instructor for MATC and the Madison Metro School System. Then in 1986 she was hired by UW-Madison, General Library System where Sandra remained until she retired with emeritus in 2011 as Head of Microimaging Services. During Sandra’s tenure with the UW-Madison library system, she played a key role in the establishment and development of the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center.

Sandra is survived by her children, Sandra (Daniel) Pierick, Robert (Kathy) Paske, Charmaine (John) Mohr and Raymond (Kara) Paske; grandchildren, Clorissa Pierick, Nicole Pierick, Alexis Swavern, Nathan Paske, Joseph Paske, Justin Long, Nicolas (Ciara) Long, Amber Paske, Sierra (Tanner) Cureton and Kiona Paske; siblings, Larry Joseph and Aaron (Pamela) Joseph; brother-in-law, Roy Rowin, and many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; her parents; siblings, Darwin (Patricia) Joseph, Frances Joseph and Mary Rowin; and sister-in-law Marcie Joseph.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Ryan Funeral Home, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest. A visitation will take place at the funeral home from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Sandra’s name to the International Crane Foundation It Takes All of Us - International Crane Foundation (savingcranes.org) or the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Audubon Society of Dane Co.) Ways to Give — Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (swibirds.org).

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Windsor/DeForest Chapel

6924 Lake Road