Sally May Fellrath

Sally May Fellrath (née Folley) passed away peacefully on October 9, 2022.

She was born on April 26, 1939, in Hill City, Minnesota to Cecil and Hazel Folley. She had two brothers, Cecil Leroy “Sonny” Folley and James “Jim” Hill. She went to school in Grand Rapids, MN. She married the love of her life Paul Douglas Fellrath on August 29th, 1959, in Itasca, Minnesota.

Sally spent most of her life as an owner/operator of different businesses with her husband. In 1960 they owned and ran the Sinclair Gas Station & Melody Inn Cafe in Hill City, Minnesota. They later moved to Brooklyn, New York, where Paul was from. They opened Astra Printing, a local print shop. Several years later it became Astra Office Supply. The business was a local icon during the holidays, putting on elaborate displays and pictures with Santa. Sally & the rest of the family were repeatedly mentioned in the paper for all of the holiday cheer they brought to the neighborhood.

In 1963, Paul and Sally welcomed their only child, Christopher, into the world. After Chris joined the Coast Guard, Sally joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary. She spent many hours teaching boating courses and was the local Flotilla Commander for 2 years. During this time, she enjoyed spending time on her and Paul’s boat ‘The Getaway.”

Chris later married Cheryl and gave Sally 2 grandchildren, TJ and Samantha, that she adored. Sally spent her time after that working and going to all of her grandchildren’s events and activities. She volunteered at Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with both grandkids. She was at every graduation, award ceremony, competition, tournament, and dance recital.

Sally’s joy in life was crafting. She could always be seen working on plastic canvas in her free time. She made everything from simple napkin holders and holiday ornaments to elaborate decorations such as gazebos for events. She even helped make costumes for her grandchildren. Later in life she turned to making pillows, pet beds and quilts. She sold all of her creations in Montana at craft fairs under her business, Creations by Sally.

In 2011, Sally moved to Montana with Chris. Sally soon welcomed great- grandchildren Lucas and Mara. She spent much of her time with her great-grandchildren. After Chris’ passing, she moved in with Samantha, her grandson-in-law Paul, Lucas and Mara. She enjoyed watching Green Acres with Lucas and teaching Mara to sew. A few years later, TJ and his wife Tonya had Jack, her third great-grandchild. She loved to watch videos of his antics and was over the moon when she was finally able to meet him.

Sally was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved to laugh and was always ready with a smile. She was a whiz at Scrabble and spent time doing puzzles. She was a little bit crazy but that was why everyone loved her.

Sally will be deeply missed by her surviving family, her grandchildren TJ (Tonya), Samantha (Paul) and her five great grandchildren Alex, Nick, Lucas, Mara, and Jack with a sixth on the way.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Dementia Society of America.