Sally Lee Ettl

Sally's Celebration of Life can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/546604665

Sally Lee Ettl, 71, passed from this world and into Heaven on Thursday, April 29, 2021. She died peacefully at her home.

Sally Lee Gehrke was born November 25, 1949, in Bemidji, Minnesota to Richard and Ardella (Bohlman) Gehrke. She grew up in Cass Lake where she graduated in 1967 and worked with her family at their sawmill.

Sally had many jobs in her lifetime, and made the workplace more enjoyable for everyone. She was especially proud of her work as a realtor and many folks remember her from her days at the Community First Bank, and then Bank of the West. She "retired", then went back to work "part time" and loved her job and all of the people she served at Royal Liquors.

Sally met the love of her life, Cal Paulson, later in life, and the two of them enjoyed playing cards, Bingo nights, going to estate sales, and entertaining guests in their home. Sally grieved him deeply when he passed away, and we know she is happy to be with him once again.

Sally loved children and she could rock a baby to sleep like no other. She was soothing and kind. She had a natural flair for telling stories that captivated everyone. She loved flowers, plants, playing cards, Scrabble, blue jeans, heels, and music. She was proud that she had traveled to 43 of the 50 states. Sally was a wonderful cook and the kind of lady that showed up with soup (she didn't ask- she just made it!) or banana bread, because homemade food was a love language all it's own with Sally.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, her brother David, Cal, and many other relatives. She chose to be cremated.

Please join us in a Celebration of Life for Sally at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home on Friday May 7, 2021 at 2pm. Also bring your best Sally story to stand up and share so we can capture her energy, wit, humor, and soul as we give her the one last party that she requested.