Sandra "Sandi" Kay Wideburg

Sandra “Sandi” Kay Wideburg passed away peacefully on September 18th, 2026, surrounded by the love of family and friends, as the result of an unexpected stroke. Sandi was born on July 7, 1964 to Norman E. and Joy R. (Kelly) Wideburg in Waukegan, Illinois. She grew up in Waukegan and attended Clearview Grade School, Jack Benny Junior High, and Waukegan West High School. Sandi was active in JROTC, where she excelled on the rifle team. She played string bass in the Waukegan High School Orchestra, participated in gymnastics, enjoyed horseback riding, and was a Girl Scout.

Sandi earned a Bachelor of Science with High Honors in Physical Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She then received a Master of Science at Illinois State University, specializing in Physiology and Sports Medicine. Sandi’s interest in medicine led to a career in medical transcription and personal research in medical and nutritional issues. She became the “go-to” person for the entire family when they had questions on medical and nutritional issues.

Sandi’s primary field was working as a medical transcriptionist. Among the places that she worked are Condell Medical Center, Transcend Company, Cancer Treatment Centers of America/City of Hope, and finally the State of Illinois Department of Human Services.

Sandi loved dancing to music and often went out dancing with her best friend Darlene Norton. In 1986, while attending local band Jak Makral shows with Darlene, Sandi met the love of her life, Robert “Rob” M. Proce, Jr. They were married on April 28, 1991. Sandi kept her maiden name in both private and professional life.

Sandi and Rob lost their first child, Karl Proce, in 1995 when he was five days old, but went on to raise two wonderful sons, Erik and Konrad. Sandi was active as a Boy Scout Leader for Troop #609 of Waukegan as the Advancement Chair, and her two sons both achieved Eagle Scout. Sandi and Rob continued to love music and also enjoyed going to the movies and watching DVD movies regularly. Sandi and Rob sang in the Swedish Glee Club of Lake County along with her son Erik, brother Doug, and nephew Christian. Sandi became interested in genealogy and spent decades researching the family together with her father and sister Laura. As a result, Sandi became a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution along with her mother and two sisters. Sandi enjoyed cat cozy mystery novels and often fell asleep with a cat cozy in her hand, a cup of tea by her side, and a DVD movie on the TV.

Sandi is survived by her parents, her husband, her sisters Laura Wideburg (Asmus Freytag) and Mary Canady (Jeffrey), her brother Douglas Wideburg, her sons Erik Proce and Konrad Proce, numerous nephews and nieces and two grandnieces. She was predeceased by her first son, Karl P. Proce.

A visitation for Sandi will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at Marsh Funeral Home (305 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee, IL 60031) from 12:00pm until the time of service at 4:00pm.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 11:00am at Ascension Catholic Cemetery (1920 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville, IL). We ask that if you are going to join the family, please arrive at the cemetery office no later than 10:45am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sandi may be made to: immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) research at the Platelet Disorder Support Association (https://pdsa.org/pdsa-donation); the Swedish Glee Club of Lake County (https://swedishgleeclub.org/ ); Chicago Botanic Garden (https://www.chicagobotanic.org/ ); or Field Museum (https://www.fieldmuseum.org/landing/make-a-gift).