Vicki Waugh, a cherished mother, grandmother, wife, aunt, and sister, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, after a courageous nine-year battle with cancer.
Vicki was born on April 3, 1958, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to the late Donald and Joyce (Anderson) Filz. Her life dream was to find her soulmate and start a family. In 1977, she met Gregory Waugh, and they married two years later on June 16th, 1979. From there, they would go on to buy their home in Twin Lakes, WI, where they raised their two children, Dustin and Kelly. They remained proud residents of that community until the time of her death.
Vicki wore many hats throughout her life. She worked as a server, bank teller, nurse, and proudly as a forklift operator at Motorola, a job she especially loved. She took immense pride in being a wife, sister, aunt, and friend. But of all the titles she carried, the ones she valued most were Mom, Gramama, and Mimi; roles she filled with unconditional love, wisdom, and devotion.
Her grandchildren held a particularly special place in her heart. She loved spending time with them and always made sure the moments they shared were meaningful. Her nurturing spirit and endless generosity created a foundation of strength and warmth for her family that will continue for generations to come.
Vicki found happiness in life’s simple pleasures and greatest adventures alike. She loved being near the water, whether she was boating with loved ones or peacefully casting a fishing line and enjoying the calm around her. She had a deep love for animals of all kinds and shared especially close bonds with her family dogs, Riley, Jake, and Brutus, and her cats, Gustav and Crosby. She was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs and “Da Bears”, spending countless Sundays in the stands or faithfully refereeing every play from her living room. Some of her favorite moments were spent riding on the back of her husband Gregory’s Harley-Davidson, feeling the wind in her hair and embracing the freedom of the open road beside the man she loved. Together, with family, they shared many memorable getaways, from relaxing beach vacations to peaceful trips to the mountains in their tow-along camper. Traveling brought Vicki immense joy, and she treasured the time spent with the people she loved.
An avid fan of racing, Vicki especially loved attending the Indy 500, a tradition that held a special place in her heart since childhood. Over the years, she continued that tradition with loved ones, creating lasting memories filled with laughter, excitement, and togetherness. She also appreciated life’s quieter moments — lounging in the sunshine, relaxing in her “stretchy clothes,” and simply enjoying the peace and comfort of home surrounded by those she loved most.
Vicki is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Gregory Waugh; her son, Dustin Waugh (Jessica); her daughter, Kelly Hanifl (John); her brother, Jeff Filz (Kristin) and her beloved grandchildren, Addison Waugh, Emmaline and Jackson Hanifl; and Caddem and Reagan Alexander. She also shared a very special bond with her sister-in-law, Lorie (Waugh) Schroeder, and brother-in-law, Steve Schroeder, as well as with her nieces, Krysti Cioch (Josh) and Cami Filz, and her nephews, Brennen Schroeder (Selena) and Carson Filz. The love she gave so freely to each of them will remain forever in their hearts.
Though her passing leaves an immeasurable void, Vicki’s love, laughter, and beautiful spirit will continue to live on in the countless lives she touched. Her legacy is one of love, kindness, strength, and devotion to family. She will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and endlessly treasured by all who knew and loved her
A Celebration of Life honoring Vicki will be held at the Pink House Resort on Saturday, July 25th. Additional details will be shared later this summer.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the Harvest Farm Sanctuary at https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/heartland-farm-sanctuary/hfs-general-donations in honor of Vicki’s lifetime love and compassion for animals.
