Wanda Brandstetter Obituary

Dearest Brandstedder Family,

I am so sorry to hear of Wanda's passing.
I loved her so much. She spoke of you all well and often.
I was very close with Wanda and your Grandparents as I maintained and cleaned her home and the cottages from 6th grade until I was 18. I went to college and my mom continued in my stead caring for the main house for a while. In my memory she will be an eternal strong presence to fight for what is right while respecting other people's views. She was the first person I had ever met that started to enlighten me to other perspective thinking. To know that I could go on to college and gain my Psychology Degree even if I had learning disabilities. If I worked hard I could do anything I put my mind to.
I loved working for her and moved away to start school and later a family. I can never thank her enough for giving me a job to help support my family and to broaden my confidence through hardworking and mentoring my mind to strive for bigger things.
My name was Jill Tiemann. I live in MN now and married my high school boy friend Geoff Jacks. I will forever be thankful for my time with your mom and grandparents. Cleaning and learning how to manage the beach houses and main house helped me ready for bigger things. I can not thank her enough. I have a heavy heart to lean of her passing and wish I could have said thank you to her. I feel I know all of you as she spoke of you all often and I dusted the frames as she spoke about your visits. I send you love and hope this finds you well. If there is anything I can do please reach out. My email is [email protected].

Hi Ericka - I hope you get a copy of this message. I received a message from you regarding a memorial service for your mother, but when I tried to e-mail you back, I do not know whether it went through or not. I have also lost the phone number for your Dad, and do not have yours. Please get back to me on my e-mail, [email protected] and let me know both of your numbers. Thank you. Hope you are doing well... Adrienne

Dear Hugo and family,

Just an addendum to what I have already written about Wanda and the many delightful memories I have of her and the entire family.

I forgot to check the "contact me" portion of my submission. It would be great hearing from you if that is your inclination. I have often thought of the dunes and the wonderful times we had. Please, again, accept my deepest sympathies.

Adrienne

Dear Brandstetter family:
Although I had not thought of Wanda directly for some time, just seeing that she had passed away deeply saddened me, and also brought back countless memories of shared time with her and the rest of the family. Having spent the greater part of my childhood years at the Indiana Dunes, it was my pleasure to know and spend time with this extrordinary woman who was filled with joy, intelligence, love of family and generosity. As a young girl, I found her entirely fascinating and would spend many evenings at her house on the hill, discussing any subject, from politics to philosophy etc. I learned so much from her and always enjoyed her warmth, hospitality and energy. She could do just about anything, whether it be entertaining, cooking, carpentry, driving her boat and teaching us novice water skiiers to ski etc. She was a joy to know and I only wish that I had kept in contact with her in my adult years. I do not think there will ever be anyone as versatile and exceptional in my life. Her spirit, vitality and sense of wonderment and humor will live on in those who knew her. She will be greatly missed by family and friends but I am sure that she will be entertaining and enlightening those who share space with her in heaven. God Bless all of you, her family and friends and my deepest sympathies to all of you.....

With love,

Adrienne Epstein

Dear Hugo, Russell, Ericka and Susan,
My mom and dad brought us to the dunes every summer to stay in your cottages - usually upstairs in the Jolly Roger as I recall. Wanda brought us many moments of joy and insight and we loved her free spirit. Thinking of you all and hoping you have many, many wonderful memories to carry you through.
With love from Andrea (Ward) Johnston

Dear Hugo, Susan, Erika and Russell,
Please know that I mourn the passing of Wanda. She was a real woman. When I was younger, and met Wanda and Hugo in about 1968, I was impressionable. But, there was alot about Wanda that was impressionable. She had a rare combination of intellect, ability, and love. We, in our family, were privileged to know her, to be fed by her and to bask in her glory as a woman. The world becomes a little less brilliant and less loving because of her going to glory.
Love to all of you,

Patrick

I still see Wanda in that grand dune-bluff-fireplaced living room with open books and magazines and family photos, she spiritedly spouting scientific tidbits and political opinion. I send my love and support to Hugo, Susan, Ericka and the whole extended family that I feel part of. Barbie.

Dear Hugo, Susan, Erica and Russell,

It is with much sorrow we heard of Wanda's passing. She and you will be in our thoughts and prayers. There are some who believe she is waiting for us in a place of peace, free from pain.

Our heart-felt condolences,
Vic, Mary and Sam Smith

Dear Hugo, Susan, Ericka, and Russell,

The world is a much less interesting place with Wanda no longer with us. It is my honor and joy to have spent so much time with all when I was a kid at the dunes. Your whole family has influenced mine in ways I can't begin to express.

She will always be skinny dipping or in the grand living room of your place in that tarry-cloth bathrobe, espousing amazing insights on philosophy, politics, and love of family and self.

She was an amazing woman filled with enormous charism that she so freely shared with everyone. Wand and Hugo are truly my favorite hippies EVER!

My only regret is that I never brought my family back up there to visit... I wish all of you God's peace!!!!

Love, patrick murphy-racey,
Knoxville, Tennessee

Dearest Brandstetter Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our Deepest Condolences,
The Lundgren Family