Sandra "Sandy" Kay (Lawrence) Kust, passed away peacefully at home, on Friday, February 23, 2024. She was born on October 4, 1950, to Kenneth and Iola Lawrence and journeyed through life with grace and love.

After graduating in 1968 from De Pere High School (the good side), Sandy began working at Brown County Department of Social Services (now Human Services) on June 10, 1968. On June 20, 1970, she married her ex-husband Tom Kust.  On May 30, 1972, she left her job to start a family and stay home to raise their five children.

In 1987, Sandy reentered the workforce and worked as a Secretary for Diabetes Education at St. Mary's hospital and later Prevea until she retired in 2013 to take care of her life partner, Jim Waldo, until he passed in 2016.

After Jim's passing, Sandy embarked on a new chapter, enrolling in classes at UWGB through their Lifelong Learning Program. Being an avid reader, her favorite class was Is the Book Better Than the Movie? Other favorites were line dancing and cooking classes. In addition to attending classes, she began volunteering for Unity Resale Shoppe when it opened in 2017. Through this experience, she forged numerous friendships and cherished the time spent there.

Sandy had an enthusiastic love for all things Hallmark, especially Christmas ornaments and decor. To quote her son Kevin, "I think she has more Hallmark ornaments than the Hallmark store has." Her kids and grandkids were gifted multiple ornaments every year! Combined, they all truly have a treasure trove of ornaments.

Sandy was also a lover of animals, specifically cats. Sandy got her first cat when her son Dan asked for one for his fourth birthday in 1978. This began what seemed to be a never ending stream of cats (according to her son, Jeff, "That was literally the gift that didn't stop giving"). Her children attempted to count how many cats she had over the years and they decided it's way too many to count. For the last seven years, her cats Mittens and Muffin received so much love right up to the very end. Many granddogs have also been the recipients of Sandy's love and affection. She was a dog sitter extraordinaire!

Sandy is survived by her children Jeff (Robin Thorrington) Kust, Dan (Elizabeth) Kust, Kevin (Nicole Arbes) Kust, Stephanie (Kevin) Yeager, Rick (Ashley) Kust, her six grandchildren, Olivia Kust, Layla Kust, Lennon Koehne, Harlow Kust, River Kust, and Emma Yeager, who meant the world to her, her brother Gary (Theresa) Lawrence, her sister-in-law  Karen Lawrence, her brother-in-law Glenn Verhagen, her nieces and nephews, her life partner, Jim's, sons Craig, Mike, and Todd, and her ex-husband Tom (Lori) Kust.

Sandy is preceded in death by her parents Ken and Iola Lawrence, her brother Larry Lawrence, her sister Mary Verhagen, and her life partner Jim Waldo.

Sandy's legacy is one of boundless love and generosity (Christmas at her house was epic!!). As a devoted mother, grandmother, volunteer, friend, and life partner, she leaves an irreplaceable void in our hearts. Yet, her impact remains etched in the lives she touched, and her warmth, laughter, and tender embraces will be cherished in our memories for the rest of our lives.

A special thank you to Unity Hospice. In lieu of flowers, Sandy's memory can be honored by making a donation to Unity.

Friends and family will gather at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., on Friday, March 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. The Funeral Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.