Sally Jane Mouthaan

Sally Jane (Six) (Fairbrother) Mouthann died peacefully at her home in Clark Retirement Community on May 13, 2020.  Born at home in Grand Rapids to Paul and Josie Six in 1934, Sally is survived by her sister Ruth Allaben of Novi, 3 daughters Mary Jo (Chuck) Burpee, Anne Onasch, and Amy (Larry) Ketten, step-children Joe (Barb) Mouthaan, Diane Duncan, Rodger (Vicki) Mouthaan, and Dan (Mary) Mouthaan.  Sally’s husband Dick Mouthaan died in 2018.  Together they were blessed with 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.  A few highlights of her happy childhood included making forts and cooking applesauce over a campfire in the abandoned orchard behind her home on Arthur Ave., Blackie the cat who once gave birth to a single kitten on her sister’s lap, playmates at Diamond School, enjoying day-old treats from her dad’s job at A&P Bakery, cottage/fishing trips to Bills Lake, car trips down Grand River Ave. to Tiger Stadium, cheerleading and winning the Agona Cup at Central HS, and often wearing new dresses crafted by her mother.  Sally loved numbers and used this talent as treasurer or keeper of records and statistics for many bowling leagues, bridge clubs, service organizations, PTAs, churches, and clubs through the years.  She enjoyed playing Bridge, Euchre, solitaire, Blackjack and slots.  She also loved to have fun and was a great organizer and hostess of parties and special events for her children, neighbors, TRYCOS, UMW Circles, Cooties, and Bridge clubs, including trips to Las Vegas and class reunions.  She had cherished, lifelong friends from all these groups, and she was known for working hard at planning, cooking and serving large dinners at Trinity United Methodist Church and Newaygo County Sportsmen’s Club. In fact she met Dick there while washing dishes after a banquet.  Her daughters remember her spending summer afternoons driving the boat on Bills Lake while they and their friends learned to waterski, caring for their several cats and litters of kittens, leading their Bluebird and Camp Fire groups, taking them to the Ottawa Hills Library, ironing even their play clothes and bed sheets, and cheering for the Detroit Tigers on the radio.   Sally often broke into song with remembered pieces of song lyrics given almost any word or phrase in the English language.  Sally’s body will be cremated with burial of the remains in Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date.  For those wishing to do so, memorial contributions to the Benevolent Care Fund at Clark Retirement Community would be appreciated.  

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