Sally J. denOtter

Sally J. denOtter, 81, of Portage, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the Villas at Borgess Place in Kalamazoo. Sally was born January 20, 1944 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Harold and Mary (Kranenberg) Sprague. She was a 1962 graduate of Loy Norrix High School and worked in retail and golf courses while raising her family. Sally also worked at American Winding coiling guitar strings for many years, and later worked at Milham Park, Indian Run and Pine View Golf courses where she worked as a golf instructor and organized golf tournaments. She was a member of the “Golden Girls” golf team and won golfing tournaments with her sister. In addition to golfing, Sally enjoyed bowling, gambling at the Four Winds Casino and playing bingo. Her family was her number one priority and she was always on the sidelines cheering on her children at their sporting events and driving them and their friends to various games and tournaments.

Sally is survived by her three daughters, Christine (Glenwood) Brown, Cari (Troy) Jenkins, and Nancy denOtter; five grandchildren, Shauna (Jesus) Castro-Brown, Amber Brizendine, Trishia Brizendine, Tyler Jenkins and Carington Jenkins; five great-grandchildren, Aidan Castro-Brown, Aquilino “AJ” Castro-Brown, Aiana Castro-Brown, Alaric Castro-Brown and Hudson Hill; her brother, David (Kathy) Sprague; her nieces, Laurie Haner and Elizabeth (Chris) Monico, and nephew, Matthew (Lisa) Sprague; and two great-nieces, Veronica (Bush) McCarthy and Jessica (Drew Dowden) VanderRoest. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Nancy Haner, a brother, Danny Sprague, and a nephew, Robert Haner.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life open house to honor Sally will be held from 1 – 6 PM on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Hearthside Clubhouse, 7566 Currier Drive, Portage, MI 49002. For those desiring to make a contribution in Sally’s memory, the family suggests the American Cancer Society to honor her 25 years as a breast cancer survivor, or Centrica Care Navigators who cared for her in her final days.