Sandra Ann Van Hout

Sandra Ann Van Hout, née Kieliszewski, known affectionately as Sandy, passed away on March 9, 2026, at the age of 75 in Columbia, South Carolina. Born on April 25, 1950, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Frank and Ramona Tafelski Kieliszewski. Sandy grew up in Stevens Point, graduating from P. J. Jacobs High School in 1968. It was there she met her future husband, Craig, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. They married on December 13, 1975, and shared a marriage of 50 years filled with travel, museum visits, and time spent in nature.

Together, Sandy and Craig lived in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin—where their daughter Sarah was born—Baltimore, Maryland—where Laura completed the family—Fayetteville, North Carolina, and finally Columbia, South Carolina, where they made their home for more than 40 years. Sandy worked as a teacher’s assistant at Windsor Elementary, where she lovingly cared for four- and five-year-old children. Multiple sclerosis eventually forced her into early retirement from the work she cherished. She found purpose in retirement as an active member of the MS Support Group community, serving as a leader and advocate who offered encouragement and friendship to many.

Sandy’s greatest joy came from her family. She is survived by her husband, Craig Paul Van Hout; daughters Sarah Jo Stephens (David Michael) of Panama City, Florida, and Laura Van Hout Peterson (Christopher) of Columbia, South Carolina; and seven beloved grandchildren, Owen Paul Peterson, William Robert Peterson, Camille Opal Stephens, Colin Matthew Stephens, Charlotte Eden Stephens, Connor Michael Stephens, and Craig Joseph Stephens. She is also survived by her brothers, Robert Kelley of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and Mark Kieliszewski of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. She will be remembered for her quiet strength, her love of reading, prayer, gardening, and birding, and the deep devotion she showed to her family and friends.