Sally J. Hohlstein

Sally Jo (Dann) Hohlstein, age 88, passed away peacefully at At Home Again Memory Care in Rio October 20, 2023. She was born at home in Rio, Wisconsin August 30, 1935, to Joe and Isabelle (Bennett) Dann, the oldest of three children.

She graduated from Rio High School as Salutatorian of her class in 1953 and remained close friends with these classmates her entire life. She was united in marriage to Donald Hohlstein October 22, 1955 by Rev. Keith Epps in a candlelight ceremony at the Rio Congregational Church. 

Sally was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family was “the light of her life.” She was an avid reader and sports fan, especially enjoying the UW men’s basketball games and her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Her accomplishments in life were raising a loving family and having a small part in building the Rio Community Library and the Rio Tennis Court. Over the years, Sally was employed at the Department of State Audit, Gartland Brothers, Inc, Wetlaufer Drug Store, Columbia County Jail, and Rio Community Library.

Sally is survived by her daughters, Suzanne Dann (fiancé Jeff Benzine), Cottonwood, AZ, Lisa Selje, Milton, and Amy (Kurt) Benzine, Poynette; “special daughter” Beth (Howard) Meekma, Fitchburg; five grandchildren, Daniel (Sue) Selje, Megan (Dan) Dilley, Katrina (Jasper) Heilig, Matthew (Casey) Selje, and Joshua (Carly) Selje; two “special” grandsons Michael (Carrie) Meekma and Matthew (Kendall) Meekma, and three great-grandchildren, Cecilia Selje and Axel and Ronin Dilley. She is further survived by her brother Patrick (Carol) Dann; sister-in-law Patricia Dann; brothers-in-law, Clifford (Barb) Hohlstein, and Nelvin (Gloria) Olson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Donald; brother Kenneth Dann, and parents Joe and Isabelle Dann. 

A funeral service will be held Friday, November 3, 2023 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rio with Rev. Jack Way officiating. Interment will follow at Ohio Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 AM until the time of the service. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at At Home Again and the entire team at Generations Hospice for the loving care Sally received over the last 18 months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rio Community Library or Redeemer Lutheran Church.

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