UW-Oshkosh students, staff and faculty are mourning the loss of sophomore Ally Blattner after she died in a skiing accident Feb. 5 at Granite Peak.
UWO Chancellor Manohar Singh wrote in an email sent out to students and staff that the Oshkosh community is ready to stand in support of Blattner’s family and her loved ones in any possible way.
“On behalf of the University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to Ally’s family, friends, classmates and all who knew her,” Singh wrote. “This loss is felt deeply within our community. I encourage each and every one of you to take care of yourselves and to look out for one another as we grieve together.”
Blattner held roles in various clubs and organizations around campus, such as being the vice president of recruitment for the sorority chapter Sigma Sigma Sigma and vice president pro tempore of the Oshkosh Student Government (OSG).
“Ally was a pillar of leadership within our chapter and on campus,” Sigma Sigma Sigma wrote in a social media post. “The impact and legacy she has left is tremendous. We are beyond heartbroken, but we are so thankful to have had the opportunity to call her our sister. Though she was taken from us far too quickly, Ally will forever be remembered by her big smile, big heart, and the big plans she had to make our world a better place.”
In a tribute on social media, OSG said that Blattner’s smile and gentle spirit will never be forgotten.
“She had a gift of bringing light into every room and bringing a fresh perspective filled with positivity and warmth,” OSG said. “The way she uplifted others and brightened the space around her will be deeply missed. We are deeply grateful for the impact she made on our student government and community.”
According to Blattners’ obituary on btnfuneral.com, she loved to be with others and spend time crafting, playing violin, playing with pets or cheating at board games. Through Blattners’ time as a student at Neenah High School, she worked as a certified nursing assistant at Brewster Village and also spent time working at Sharehaven Home at Evergreen Retirement Community.
The family requests that donations in Blattner’s memory be directed to the Boys and Girls Brigade in Neenah, the March of Dimes, the Tri Sigma Foundation, Touch of Class at Neenah High School or through volunteer service at a nursing home or mental health facility.
A visitation will be held for Blattner Feb. 12 at Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel in Appleton from 4-7 p.m. as well as another at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 9 a.m. until the Mass at 11 a.m.
