Our loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Sally Denison Van Wagoner, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at her home in Cleveland surrounded by her loving family after a short and courageous battle with cancer.
Sally was born on February 13, 1940 to Leonard and Esther Denison in Moab, Utah. There she met Danny Van Wagoner while “Dragging Main.” Grandma said it was not love at first sight (but he was cute) and it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with him. They were married on June 20, 1958 in Moab where they made their first home together and welcomed their first daughter. In 1960, they moved to Cleveland, Utah where they lived in a two room no bathroom house, while they diligently worked on building their forever home. During this time, they welcomed their next two daughters. In 1965, Mom’s “PALACE” was finally completed. She was happy to have an inside bathroom and an automatic washer and dryer. She loved it! Excited to have so much room they decided to add to the family, two years later their fourth daughter was born and then in 1972, their family become complete when they welcomed their fifth daughter.
She never wanted anything more in life than to be a Mom. She was well experienced tending for children as she took care of her younger siblings for many years. Her Girls and Danny were everything to her. Blessed to be a stay at home mom, she thrived as a wonderful homemaker loving to bake, cook, and take care of their home. Mom was at all the ballgames and performances as the biggest fan! She was a great example to everyone, her love of being a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend have been passed down not only to her children but also to her grandchildren, their spouses, and great-grandchildren.
Sally enjoyed cards and dice games when her family was younger, camping with her in-laws, traveling south for the winters in retirement although she missed her grandbabies dearly while they were gone! She also always enjoyed reading and found more time again for this once her girls were raised. Jigsaw and word puzzles, and watching baseball or basketball games on TV were some of her common pass times. She loved typing and some bookkeeping classes in her schooling and got to excel in these skills while taking care of the books for their business, “DW Van Wagoner Construction.” Elvis was her favorite buts she also loved Country, Pop, and Rock and Roll that she said she drove her mother crazy with as a young girl.
Being her Girls’ biggest fan was followed by being her grandkids and great-grandkids biggest fan. She made all the ballgames and performances that she could for them. With her soft smile and kind eyes cheering them on from the side.
She was always up for reading a book, making a milkshake, or just enjoying the silliness of her family that filled her home on many occasions. She never missed a birthday or anniversary making sure her calendar in the kitchen had everyone’s in it.
Dad finally has his “Sally Babe” back with him now.
Survived by her daughters, Careleen Peacock, Price, Dana (Craig) Holiday, St. George, Gayleen (Rodney) Cox, Orangeville, Barbie (Cody) Potter, Huntington, and Debbie (Casey) Allred, Cleveland; 17 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Bobbi Day, Moab and Kathy Lavato, Green River. Sally expressed her thankfulness to be blessed to have never lost a single one.
Sally was welcomed into the loving arms of family including her husband, Daniel (Danny) Van Wagoner; parents, Leonard and Esther Denison; siblings, Geri, Peggy, Jim, and Boyd; sons-in-law, Mark Gramlich and Lynn Peacock; and numerous in-laws and extended family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Glenn Etzel and his caring staff, CNS Hospice especially the wonderful nurses, Michelle, Amber, Candace, and Kim. A special thanks to Jami for assisting with her last days. All the friends and family for all the love and support and to Mitchell Funeral Home for the care and compassion provided to our family at this time.
A Celebration of Life for Sally is scheduled for Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Miller’s Landing-Mitchell Funeral Home (123 North Main Street) in Huntington. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Cleveland Town Cemetery in Cleveland. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Sally online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net