Sally Lee Gegenheimer

We are saddened to announce that Sally Lee Gegenheimer, 90, passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 24, 2023. We have been so blessed to have our mom in our corner--a beautiful confidante and wise adviser. We can still picture her as a lively, lovely young girl and 1950 Miss Clawson who told a waiting date that “No” she couldn’t go out with him that night. Instead, she headed down to the end of the soda fountain counter where she was working to tell Eldred Gegenheimer that she was available for a date after all. That date marked the beginning of a love that would go on to last a lifetime. That intelligent, smart, scrappy, caring, funny young woman went on to not only marry Eldred but together they raised five children. A doctor, nurse, CFO and teacher among them. They also faced head-on the reality of caring for a son with mental illness. Sally was more than a beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother; she lived a fulfilling professional life as well. A Clawson, Michigan, school board member and president; President, Clawson Foreign Exchange; active member of the Clawson Jaycees and once named Outstanding Young Woman of the Year; Clawson, Oxford and Goodrich, Michigan, teacher and school counselor with a BA (1970) and MA (1986) from Michigan State University; Real Estate Agent; and Naperville, IL condo association board member and president. Sally also loved following politics and all things Michigan State University especially Spartan Football and basketball. Sally enjoyed traveling, especially family cruises and annual vacations with her sisters. Sally Gegenheimer, we love and adore you. The fact that we have been blessed to have you as a mother is a gift without measure. Survivors include her children, Dr. Alan Gegenheimer (Shari Olk); Jennifer Gegenheimer-Holmes; Caren Gegenheimer (Dr. Wendy Marshall); Cheryl Gegenheimer (Frank Vonderau) as well as seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Sally is also survived by her two beloved sisters, Alice Gooding (Gordon) and Toni Weeden (Dale). Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Eldred Edwin Gegenheimer and her son, Ronald Edwin Gegenheimer as well as two sisters Sue Davis (Chuck), Mary Harding (Rich) and her parents Gordon and Sarah Phillips. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Christ Lutheran Church, 5245 Hadley Road, Goodrich, Michigan 48438. Visitation at 10 AM and service at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be sent to the Michigan State University, Department of Teacher Education, In Memory of Sally L. Gegenheimer, University Advancement University Development, Spartan Way, 535 Chestnut Road, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824. (Online please search and select for your donation to go to Department of Teacher Education) Acknowledgements can be sent to: Caren Gegenheimer, C/O Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Sally Lee Gegenheimer

September 9, 1932 - August 27, 2023