The universe lost a great human with the passing of Barry Wilmer Sanders on April 15, 2025, after an 8-year battle with cancer. Barry was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, friend, and a one-of-a-kind individual. Kind, compassionate, loyal and down to earth, Barry was liked by just about everyone he met, even—just recently—his hospice nurses, despite him asking pointed questions about their credentials and training. (Hospice was hard. Thank you to all of the caregivers who helped so much at the end.)
Barry’s relatability and friendliness cultivated the relationships that drove his 30-year career in car sales—most of those years at Waupaca Motor Sales. Barry was a hard worker and a loyal family man. He could be serious at times, but also had a good sense of mischief and fun. He loved his people. When he found out the end was nearing, his first request was for a party, and many friends and family came from near and far to see him one last time.
Born in Waupaca on Aug. 19, 1946, Barry attended Ela-Vernon high school in Lake Zurich, IL, and Northern Illinois University, where he enjoyed his art classes and Theta Chi fraternity.
Barry met his future wife, Kathy (nee Ringstad),
On Oct. 13, 1973, they were married, on a cold and blustery day under the tree in front of Kathy’s grandmother’s house. They later welcomed their loving children Seiche, Damon and Brynn, and during those years as a young family built their own home high on a hill in the wilds of Iola.
Barry was a bit of an enigma, and held a surprising menagerie of jobs in his youth: He worked as a magician, a private investigator, a mason, a bartender, a stay-at-home dad and a brick salesman. The man knew his brick, and helped to build many a chimney and fireplace throughout Waupaca County. He was also an activist, and invested many hours in the 1980s trying to prevent nuclear waste repositories in the area with an organization called WIND. In recent years, he and Kathy delivered Meals on Wheels.
He had many interests, and was a curious lifelong learner. He loved playing trivia with his team, strumming a guitar or singing along to records, playing bridge, attempting to buy winning lottery tickets, yelling at semi trucks trying to navigate the corner on Main St., and entertaining friends. And of course, sports. He loved the Brewers and Packers, and in his final days a Brewers game could perk him right up. He was also a talented artist, with many of his paintings hanging throughout their home.
Barry and Kathy were eager hosts of parties and get-togethers. Barry was one hell of a mixologist and would offer to whip up all kinds of drinks for anyone who crossed their threshold: old fashioneds, margaritas or rum runners—the man could make a good drink and it was sure fun to share one with him.
He loved culture and travel, and visited many states, Europe and the Caribbean over the years. After traveling to France, he forever greeted his family with a chipper “Bonjour, Mademoiselle” or “Monsieur” each morning. Barry made friends everywhere he went, sometimes pen-palling with folks they’d met for years after the fact.
He was a proud dad, and his children remember him as someone who would always go to bat for them and help them out, particularly in a pinch. He was always there when they needed him, knowing just what to do. To that end, he did end up replacing a lot of cars. Which, luckily, he was well prepared to do.
Barry was one of the good ones. He was genuine and loving and quick-witted and intuitive. A good man and a great person who will be missed forever. He leaves behind a legacy that would make anyone proud.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer “Chick” and Jane, and his brother, Danny (Liz), as well as his in-laws, Jim and Bud Ringstad. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathy; his children: Seiche (John) Sanders Barag of Wauwatosa, WI, Damon of Sierra Madre, CA, and Brynn (Daniel) DeHay of Scandinavia, WI. He was the proud “Papa” of six grandchildren: Callan Vance, Margot Barag, Penelope and Oakley Sanders, Tzion and Omri DeHay, and two step grandchildren: Maddy and Olivia Barag. He is also survived by his sister Deborah and her husband Randy Pavey of Roy, WA, his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration to honor Barry’s life will be held Saturday, April 26, at Simpson’s Restaurant in Waupaca. The gathering will begin at 11, with lunch served at 12.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
