MADISON - Sally A. Haveman, age 89, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Milestone Senior Living. She was born on July 12, 1936, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the daughter of James and Helen (Manni) Ruster.

Sally graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1954. Sally worked as an administrative assistant for the Department of Health and Social Services for 23 years, retiring in 2003. This was the age of word processors, and she took on the learning with gusto, having previously used only the typewriter. She was a conscientious grammarian and would often “improve” her bosses’ dictated memos with a little editorial finesse.

Sally was an accomplished and classically trained pianist. Her musical talent was both a hobby and a profession. She played piano for audiences at places like the then Elvehjem Museum of Art (now Chazen Museum of Art), and she accompanied several prominent Madison singers at their concerts. Sally also loved making music with her grandchildren and was never one to miss a school concert (or sporting event for that matter). She was a devoted member of First Congregational Church in Madison, particularly when her children were young, and routinely participated in their outreach activities such as cooking and providing meals in the church’s soup kitchen.

Sally’s focus was always her children and grandchildren. Her house was a place where one always felt warmth, love, and comfort. She was never happier than when her children and grandchildren were there. When invited to visit family, her tag line was “well let me see if I’m available”, and free she was, because her family was her priority. Sally exuded the same devotion to her mother who lived to be 102, and faithfully drove the 6 hours from Madison, Wis. to Grand Rapids, Mich. every few months to “check in”. She was also a lifelong lover of dogs and cats and added several of those to her family.

Sally is survived by her three children, Beth (Bob Sentz) Haveman-Sentz, Jon (Diane Gabianelli) Haveman and Andrea (Victor Semper) Haveman-Semper; and grandchildren, Tyler Sentz, Danielle "Dani" Sentz, Ari Sentz, Harley Haveman and Alexa Semper. She was preceded in death by both her parents and sister, Marilyn Bokma and brother, James Ruster.

The family will have their own private service for immediate family members in the short-term.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), the Dane County Humane Society (www.giveshelter.org), or to the PBS Foundation (www.foundation.PBS.org).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

Sally A. Haveman

July 12, 1936 - November 25, 2025

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