Sondra Schimming

Sondra Lee Schimming, age 81, passed away on April 6, 2021. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Devi Marie Schimming, her father, James Wullenweber, her mother, Alice Ruth Wullenweber, and brother, James Wullenweber. She is survived by her husband, Victor Martin Schimming; sons, Damon Mark (Adrienne) Schimming, Derek Martin (Danita) Schimming; sister, Mary Hurd; brother, David (Candy) Wullenweber; niece, Rachel (Lars) Borgström; grandchildren, Lauren (Nick) Tobaben, Victoria (Brian) Norris, Devon Schimming, Tashina Schimming, Shane Schimming, Aubrey Schimming, Steele Schimming, in addition to her seven great-grandchildren, Aiden, Elle, Bennett, Barrett, Nathan, Brian and Clara.

Sondra “Sandi” Lee Schimming was born on a farm in Dearborn County, Indiana on June 27, 1939. When she was a teenager, she moved to Wichita, where she met Vic through a youth fellowship gathering. The second time that Vic saw Sandi, he told her that he wanted to marry her in six years. True to his word, they were married three and a half years later in 1959 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Together, Sandi and Vic raised two boys, Damon and Derek. Sandi took the boys on many adventures and raised them to be curious, creative and passionate men. Her sons found two wonderful “daughters-in-love” and she continued these traditions as a grandmother. Whether putting on neighborhood plays, teaching manners through tea parties, or counting shooting stars together at Lake Afton Public Observatory while snuggled up in the blanket she dubbed the “family pocket”, she inspired her grandchildren to be curious, imaginative and kind.

Starting early in life, Sandi was an avid reader and a lifelong learner with a great appreciation of the arts. She shared art with local school children as a docent for the Wichita Art Museum, owned two art galleries where she helped to support local artists, and was a member of the Women’s Association for the Wichita Symphony for the first Showcase Home in Wichita.

Sandi and her family had the pleasure of operating cheese stores in nine states, with restaurants, culinary shops and a popular gourmet cooking school.

Beyond raising her own children, Sandi and Vic welcomed over 42 people into their home during times of need. With a generous heart, she was always ready to help anyone as much as she could. She walked an active life of faith as an involved member of her church and community, teaching Bible School for at least twenty years, training individuals to help others during crises through the Stephen Ministries program, and helping draw people closer to the Lord as a leader of Via De Cristo spiritual retreats.

Sandi will forever be remembered for her kindness and generosity. In so many ways, she made our lives and our world a little better and for that we will be eternally grateful. For Sandi, the best time of her life was always the moment she was living right now. May her love of life and generous heart live on in all who knew her.

A funeral service honoring Sondra will be held Sunday, April 11th, at 2:00 p.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 909 South Market Street, Wichita, KS 67211. A Celebration of Life to follow in the church Fellowship Hall. In her memory, donations can be made to The Lutheran Hour or Immanuel Lutheran Church.