After a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct liver cancer), Sally Dana, 77, of Kendall, died on July 12, 2024, at her home, surrounded by love.
Sally Colleen Dana was born on Jan. 26, 1947, to her parents Marjorie and Leslie Dana in Portland, Ore. Sally grew up in Portland and enjoyed camping with her family and especially enjoyed her time spent at Girl Scout summer camps. This experience was instrumental in making Sally the person she was to become. That person was an incredible giving individual who did not look for glory for herself but gloried in the success of others.
After graduating from Willamette University in Salem, Ore., Sally taught and served as a dorm parent for three years at The Mills School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. While in Florida, she earned her master’s degree in psychology from Nova University. In the summers, Sally was hired as a camp director for a camp in western Oregon. Camp Humdinger, Sixes, Ore., 13 miles from the coast, was a life-changing experience for anyone who was involved in it. Camp Humdinger served low-income children from a three-county area and was a camp, although not well-funded, that provided a rich experience to campers and counselors alike. It was at Camp Humdinger where Sally made many lifelong friends.
In 1973, Sally moved back to Portland and had several jobs working with children and young adults. In 1981, after her youth counseling job lost its funding, she made the decision to move with one of her housemates to a farm in Wisconsin. That housemate was Lynette Vlasak and Sally became a small-town country-girl. As Sally adapted to country living, it was the Kendall area community that truly benefitted from her decision to relocate. Sally worked at Fort McCoy in human resources/labor relations for many years and retired from that position in 2010. Sally’s real gift to the community was her willingness to help in any capacity that was needed. In 1988, Sally and Lynette, along with Lynette’s sister’s family, purchased 80 acres of land in rural Ontario, complete with a pond. This land affectionately became known as The Ranch and was another life-changing event for the family.
Sally was recognized as the Kendall Citizen of the Year in 2024. It was noted at that time that Sally’s persona was all-welcoming and made everyone feel valued. At the library, Sally interacted with everyone, from the elderly to little children, engaging them and making them feel important. There are few people more willing to help someone who needs help — whether it be for a ride, a vehicle to borrow, financial assistance, encouragement or just a hug or a smile.
Sally was the first female member of the Kendall Lions Club and held several different offices in the club and was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Award (the highest Lion award given to Lion members). She also was a Jefferson Award winner —recognizing the power of service to others. She was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kendall, a member of St. John’s Ladies Aid, a Sunday school teacher, a KAACO (Kendall Area Arts and Culture Organization) charter member, worked as a poll worker in area elections, served on various local school committees, was wa regular blood donor, was a member of the area Red Hats, was a member of the library book club and Mahjong Club, sang in church and community choirs, helped with Kendall’s Labor Day Celebration and in particular with the Labor Day parade, was an active volunteer for the American Camping Association, doing summer camp visits up until her illness, and a longtime, dedicated volunteer at the Kendall Public Library and was instrumental in making the recent library expansion project such a success.
Sally was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents and two infant brothers, as well as Lynette’s parents, Evelyn and Frank Vlasak.
Survivors include best friend forever, Lynette Vlasak of Kendall, Wis.; her sister, Christy (Debora Pinkas) Dana of El Cerrito, Calif.; and Lynette’s family, Arlys and Lowell Zellmer of Janesville and their children, Rachel (Felipe) Zellmer of Madison and her children, Izzy and Leif, Paul (Nicole) Zellmer of Edgerton and their children, Olin and Reese, Mary (Chip) Marty of Kendall and their children, Layla, Brett and Mya, and Allan and Heather Vlasak, Kendall. Sally is also survived by many cousins and a multitude of friends far and near.
Sally and Lynette would like to thank everyone who helped them travel this sad and difficult journey. Although the disease ravaged Sally’s body, it could not defeat her spirit. Her faith kept her strong and the outpouring of love and support from so many people truly has been a blessing. Special thanks to librarian Charissa Finn and the entire Kendall Public Library family for all their love, cards and encouragement.
May all of your dreams bloom like daisies in the sun
May you always have stars in your eyes
May you not stop running not until your race is won
And may you always have blue skies.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 297 E. South Railroad St., Kendall. Pastor Zachary Meier and Pastor George Neitzel will officiate. Burial will follow in the South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Wednesday, July 17, from 5–8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Kendall is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
