Sandra Gay Matten Peterson, age 75, of Prescott, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at her residence on December 18, 2024, with her beloved husband, Jerry, by her side.

Sandra was born on October 30, 1949, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Julius and Florence (Sjogren) Matten. In 1957, at the age of 8, her family moved from Pillager to Wrenshall, Minnesota, where she started 4th grade at Wrenshall Elementary and graduated from Wrenshall High School in 1967. Sandra was an active and vibrant student, participating in Chorus, Library Club, Speech Club, and Pep Club. She also served as a cheerleader in 9th grade and as the student director of the junior class play. Some of her happiest school memories were shared with a tight-knit group of friends who worked on the school paper, attended concerts—including seeing The Beatles in 1965—and remained lifelong companions.

After high school, Sandra married and welcomed her son, Sean. She began her career in healthcare as a medical coder for the Fairview Healthcare System. Following the end of her first marriage, Sandra met Jerry Peterson, and together, they began a beautiful journey of love and adventure.

Sandra and Jerry’s love story began on a sailboat trip with friends. Jerry took one look at Sandra and declared, “I’m going to marry her someday.” True to his word, they married in 1996 at the historic Fort Snelling Chapel in Minneapolis. During their honeymoon, they embarked on a Windjammer cruise in the Caribbean, setting the tone for a lifetime of travel and exploration. Their first international trip to China in 1998 ignited a passion for world travel, and over the years, they visited an incredible 44 countries together. From walking the Great Wall of China to exploring Iceland’s glaciers, from safaris in Tanzania to cruising through Norway’s fjords, Sandra embraced every adventure with enthusiasm.

Despite her wanderlust, Sandra remained deeply connected to her family and friends. She cherished her close childhood friends, who often reunited for memorable trips and celebrations, including a heartfelt birthday party they held for her just weeks before her passing. Sandra was known for her radiant smile, warm personality, and her ability to make everyone feel cared for and loved.

Sandra found joy in the simple pleasures of life, whether it was tending to her backyard bird feeders, reading, following current events, or spending time with her grandchildren and her beloved pets. Her kindness, humor, and genuine spirit left an indelible mark on everyone she met.

Sandra is survived by her devoted husband, Jerry Peterson; her son, Sean Ezell; her siblings, Pat Fornshell and Randy Matten; stepdaughter, Theresa (Michael Garner) Peterson; grandchildren, Amanda, Ashley, Andi, Tyler, Austin, Joey, and Amber; great-grandchildren, Deon; step-grandchildren, Wyatt, Charlie, and Michael; and many lifelong friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Florence Matten, and siblings, David Mahan, Nancy Mahan, Sheila Rudnicki, and Larry Matten.

A Celebration of Life for Sandra will be held Saturday April 5, 2025, from 11:00am to 4:00pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Prescott: 1339 Orrin Rd, Prescott WI 54021. Sandra’s legacy of love, laughter, and adventure will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Prescott. For further details, please see www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, or call 715-262-5404.