Sandra

Cotter

Sandra Lea Cotter, 76, of New Braunfels, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer.

Sandy was born on October 11, 1950, in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, to Myron and Frances (Verhoeven) Meulemans. She attended Holy Cross Catholic School, Kaukauna High School and White Water College. On December 5, 1970, she married Rodney Cotter, and they shared nearly 56 years of marriage. Sandy and Rod traveled the world together, living in England twice, Germany, Nebraska, Michigan and, finally, Texas. Once her girls became school-aged, she decided to take a job at Brooke Army Medical Hospital as a Medical Transcriptionist, where she worked until she retired in 2015.

Above all, Sandy was a dedicated wife, mom, grandma and friend to many. Rod was the love of her life and a constant by her side. Sandy loved to travel and see new things, and she loved it most with Rod by her side. Together they adventured across Europe and the United States, finding joy in everything she saw. She had a unique ability to find beauty in small things that most people would overlook. No matter how far they roamed, Wisconsin always held a special place in her heart, and she and Rod made many trips back to visit family and friends and to spend time in the place where she grew up.

She loved her children, and she would do absolutely anything for them. She was their confidant and the person they went to with any problem, and her kindness and empathy gave her the ability to solve just about anything. When she became a grandma, she continued to make every holiday and get-together the most fun. She always came up with fun projects and games for her grandchildren, making many memories they will cherish.

Back at home, she and Rod spent countless hours working side by side to create a beautiful yard and garden together. Their home in New Braunfels is surrounded by her carefully cared-for plants and her precious deer, foxes, raccoons, cats, birds and the occasional skunk. They all knew that she had set out something special for them, and it made her heart happy to watch them enjoy their treats.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Rodney Cotter; her children Michelle (Charles) Gaitz of Cypress, Texas; Sara Lane of New Braunfels, Texas; her grandchildren Charles Ethan Gaitz, Morgan Gaitz and Charli Lane; siblings Judy (Fred) Spietz of Kaukauna, Wisconsin; Noreen (Gary) Meulemans of Menasha, Wisconsin; Kenneth (Betty) Meulemans of Bloomington, Illinois; Mary (Kevin) Webster of Appleton, Wisconsin; Karen (Dave) Jannette of Hilbert, Wisconsin; sister-in-law Mary Kay (Steve) Hurkman of Seymour, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sandy was proceeded in death by her daughter, Lisa Cotter; her parents Myron and Frances Meulemans; her in-laws Melvin and Jeanette Cotter, and her nephew Jim Spietz.

Sandy’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Selma on Monday, November 23, 2026. The rosary will begin at 10am followed by a 10:30am service, a brief reception and a caravan to the Fort Sam Houston Cemetery.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

16075 N. Evans Road, Selma, TX 78154