Sandra M. Hotchkiss

Sandra M. McCauley (Johnston) Hotchkiss formerly of LaCrosse, passed away peacefully in her residence at River Road Estates in Sparta, Wi.

Known by many as Sandy, she was born Feb. 8, 1944, in LaCrosse, WI, to Colonel Oscar B. Johnston and Vivian L. Schanke (Lachman).

Sandy was a 1962 Graduate of Aquinas High School and soon after married Dennis R. McCauley of LaCrosse on April 18, 1964, at Saint James Catholic Church in LaCrosse, WI.

Before retiring in 2009, her “multi-career” ventures started at Fanny Farmers in LaCrosse. From there she excelled as Home Interiors and Gift’s regional representative from 1975 to 1978. Her following quests not only found her at Leath Furniture of LaCrosse ranking as one of the top saleswomen from 1980 – 1982, but it also found her and her husband Dennis becoming owners and operators of D & S Appliance Service based out of their residence in Holmen until his passing in 1987.

After Sandy ventured from Leath Furniture in 1982 she was the broker/owner of Century 21 Gold Banner Reality based out of Onalaska until 1989 when her career path took on a whole new meaning until her retirement in 2009. Sandy, in addition to becoming the founder and manager of Helping Hands Home Health Agency, also opened her home on the Northside of LaCrosse to care for others and became the owner and administrator of Sterling House/Sandy’s House an 8-bed licensed CBRF designed for the care of elderly females.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis R McCauley, her parents, Colonel Oscar B. Johnston and Vivian L. Schanke (Lachman), and her “other” parents, her in-laws, Betty M. and James J. McCauley.

Survivors are her two children, James D. McCauley (Linda) of Onalaska and Lora J. McCauley (Lawrence) of LaCrosse; Her sister Margaret A. Redig (James) of Hartford, WI, and two nieces, Kristen J. Manz (Mark) of West Milwaukee and Tanya L. Redig of Hartford and her husband Marvin Hotchkiss.

Additionally, Sandy is also survived by her pride and joys. Her two grandchildren, Katie McCauley of Minneapolis, and Josh McCauley of Madison, along with her great-nephew RJ Tackman of Hartford.

Visitation will begin at 10 am Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in La Crosse at the Harry J. Olson Senior Center, 1607 North Street, with the service/celebration beginning at 11 am with Sandy’s favorites luncheon to follow. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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