Sally Rose Brandes

Sally passed peacefully, surrounded by family, just after 10pm Sunday night at the age of 90. A woman of faith, she joined The Lord and her husband of 69 years, William Brandes, who passed away in August. Those who knew Sally, remember her as a strong, determined, pioneering women. Sally was born on March 2, 1934, in Portland, Oregon. During the summers of her adolescence, she worked picking hops and berries in Washington state. She attended Oregon State University where she played field hockey, studied micro-biology, and met Bill. They married when she was 21 and she worked as a lab technician for many years. She was also an accomplished seamstress, making most her and her children’s clothes for much of their lives, and loved to bake and cook. The family especially enjoyed her Cheese Blintz, German Pancakes, and homemade dog treats. 

Sally and Bill traveled the world, living abroad in several different countries, and road tripping across the country in their RV in retirement. Sally loved the outdoors and was not afraid to experience new things. She was a Girl Scout Leader to her daughter's troop for many years taking them on backpacking and camping trips all over California. Sally was an adventurer all her life including downhill skiing, hiking, ziplining in Mexico, and traveling to Russia to visit the homeland of the Volga Germans, all in her 80s. 

In addition to her adventurous side, Sally had a commitment to public service, running for California State Assembly in 1980 with an endorsement from Ronald Reagan. Later in life, while living at Morning Star, she served on the community's Welcome Committee, Bylaws Committee, and the Resident Council, and was featured on local news for weaving sleeping mats for the unhoused out of plastic bags.

We cannot fully remember Sally without mentioning her love of baseball. Sally had the opportunity to fulfill a dream and travel to Arizona with her family for Spring Training earlier this year for her 90th birthday. She knew everything about her home team, The Colorado Rockies, and was getting the game play-by-play from family members Sunday afternoon.

Sally is survived by her son Bill Jr. (wife Mary), daughter Kathy (husband Chris), brother-in-law Clif Burns, 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. 

Memorial Service: Monday, October 14th, 2024 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 7691 S University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80122

Optional Public Viewing 9:30 – 10:00 am

Memorial Service 10:30 am

Reception to follow

Pallbearers: John Thomas (grandson), Mike Scroggins (grandson), Nathan Crandall (grandson-in-law), Tyler Harper (grandson-in-law), EJ Wood (grandson-in-law), Timothy Dyer (great-grandson), Thomas Dyer (great-grandson)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sally’s name to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (www.shepherdhillschurch.org/give), Wycliffe (wycliffe.org/donate), Girl Scouts of the USA (www.girlscouts.org/en/support-us/donate/donate-now.html), or Sigma Kappa (www.sigmakappa.org/foundation/giving).

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