Sandy M. Phillips

Sandra Maria Phillips, 71, of Chetek passed away on Thursday May 7th, 2026 after an unpredictable battle against the disease C.A.A. at Mayo Hospital in Bloomer.

The baby of the family, Sandy was born on December 29th, 1954 in Ladysmith, WI. The daughter of Joseph and Stella Gronski and grew up on the family dairy farm west of Weyerhaeuser, WI. Sandy attended Ss Peter and Paul Catholic school until 8th grade and then graduated from Weyerhaeuser High School in 1972 and later graduated from North Hennepin Community College in 1978. She met Gary Phillips at a street dance and they married on September 30th, 1978 in Weyerhaeuser, WI. In 1979 Gary and Sandy moved to Denver, CO so that Gary could attend school. In 1980, the couple moved back to Rice Lake, WI. In the spring of 1982, they purchased the family dairy farm from her Mother and Father. Sandy worked outside of the farm as well at the Rice Lake Chronotype, where she designed advertisements for the News Paper, Sandy retired from that there in 2017. Sandy also worked part time at Weyerhaeuser school in the office.

Sandy’s hobbies included taking trips with her friends “The Gang”, playing smear, and riding motorcycle, fishing, and camping. She liked watching the Kentucky Derby, harness races at the local fairs, watching for wildlife and walks in the woods, doing crosswords, puzzles, word searches, researching and telling stories about her ancestry. She loved taking road trips with her daughter, video chats with her son and grandchildren, and keeping everybody’s bellies and shot glasses full.

Sandy is survived by her children Travis and Yuko (Endo) Phillips of Stoughton, WI and Tracy Phillips and partner Mike Duffenbach of Eau Claire, WI, Grandchildren Bastian and Leah Phillips and Cullen Duffenbach, Brothers Jerry and Marilyn (Hendricks) Gronski, and Joe and Trudy (Tully) Gronski, Nephews Brian and Patti (Campbell) Gronski, Greg Gronski and partner Allison (Allatt), Niece Pam Gronski and Fiancé Collin McNulty, great nieces Stella and Claire Gronski.

Preceding her in death were her parents Joseph and Stella Gronski, Brother Carl Gronski, and her husband Gary Phillips.

The wake for Sandy will be held on Thursday, May 14th, 2026 from 4-7pm at Nash-Jackan Funeral home in Bruce, WI where a scripture service will be held at 6:30 pm. A mass will be held at Ss Peter and Paul Church in Weyerhaeuser, WI with Deacon Craig Voldberg and Father Joseph Kumar Mayakuntla officiating at 11:00 am on Friday, May 15th, 2026 with visitation one hour prior. Interment in the church cemetery to follow mass. A luncheon to follow interment at the Farmhouse Restaurant in Weyerhaeuser, WI.

A complete obituary will also be published in the Rice Lake Chronotype and the Ladysmith News.