Sally Otterness

Sally Otterness, age 82, of Willmar, died Tuesday afternoon, December 13, at Rice Therapy Suites in Willmar.


Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Monday, December 19, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. A private interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday, December 18, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and one hour prior to the service at the church.


Sally Faye Otterness was born November 10, 1934, in Wahpeton, North Dakota, the daughter of John and Mildred (Jacobus) Anderson. She grew up in Renville and graduated from Renville High School in 1952. She then worked for Oman's Supply in Willmar. On March 31, 1956, she married DuWayne Otterness at the United Methodist Church in Renville and they made their home in Willmar. Sally stayed home to raise her family until January 1972, when she began working as a secretary for Willmar Public Schools until her retirement in November 1990.


Sally was a member of Vinje Lutheran Church, where she was active with Ladies Circle and the Grief Group. She was also involved with Home Extension, Bone Builders, and volunteered and traveled with the Good Neighbor Club at Lake Region Bank. She enjoyed spending time with her family at their cabin on Eagle Lake and wintering in Hawaii. She also enjoyed traveling and she and DuWayne went on 17 cruises and traveled all over the world.


Sally is survived by her three children, Jacquelyn Cunningham of Willmar, MN; Jane (and Don) Gann of Aledo, TX; and Craig (and Jenne) Otterness of Bedford, TX; five grandchildren, Shelby Gann, Haley Gann, Ryan Otterness, Michael Otterness, and Noah Otterness; two step-grandchildren, Chase Allan and Kylie Allan; a brother, Jack Anderson of Covington, KY; and other relatives and friends.


She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, DuWayne in 2015; and two brothers, Warren Anderson and Howard Anderson.

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