Sandra A. “Sandy” Cota, who spent her career as a newspaper reporter in Iowa and Wisconsin, died Friday, Oct. 8. She was 89.
Born Sept. 20, 1932, to Elmer “Stub” Cota and Kathleen (McDonell) Cota, she grew up in the northeastern Wisconsin city of Gillett. After graduating from Gillett High School, she went on to earn her college degree in journalism.
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Cota started her career in newspapers with the (Dubuque, Iowa) Telegraph Herald, where she worked as a reporter. Her next role was as a reporter for The (Racine) Journal Times and she later joined The Milwaukee Journal news staff.
After retiring from The Journal, Cota moved to Peshtigo, where she lived near the Peshtigo River.
Cota was an active supporter of many charities throughout her life and was passionate about the environment and education.
