Sally Ost Comer

“I love talking and laughing and sharing with you and I love you more than I can say. I love that you’re both my mom and my friend.” -- a       message to Sally on her 75th birthday from her daughter.

Sally Ost Comer, age 82, died at Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

Sally Lou Ost was born to Corwin Arthur Ost and Allie Aletha Flinn at the Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 19, 1942. She married Frederick Ray Comer before a justice of the peace on December 18, 1965, at the home of James and Grace Walz in Saugatuck Township, Allegan County, Michigan. 

 In addition to her husband Fred, Sally is survived by two children, three grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Children: Allison Lee Comer (John) Ring of Schoolcraft, Michigan and Justin Arthur Comer of West Des Moines, Iowa. Grandchildren: Madison Elizabeth Ring (Bobby) Morales of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Mathew Alexander (Brenna Albin) Ring of Arlington, Virginia, and Zachary Michael Comer of West Des Moines, Iowa. Great grandchild: Grayson Michael Morales. 

 Sally graduated from Duluth, Minnesota Central High School in 1960 and received a BS degree in education from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1964. She pursued graduate study in biology at the University of Minnesota and in library science at Western Michigan University

 Sally was a schoolteacher. She taught biology and general science for the Biwabik, Minnesota Public Schools, 1964-65; biology and advanced biology for the Fennville, Michigan Public Schools, 1965-67; and earth science for the Wayland, Michigan Public Schools, 1967-68.

 An unexpected pregnancy, only nine months after the birth of her first child, was described by Sally as an “accident.” It was especially accidental for a biology teacher. The presence of two children in the house, the oldest of whom was 18 months, permanently interrupted her graduate study and her teaching career.

 Sally became the quintessential stay-at-home mom. She grew fruit and vegetables which she froze and canned. She baked bread. She drilled holes in the front yard maple trees and made her own syrup. She was a den mother, room mother, and youth advisor. She adopted stray cats and dogs. And she was home when the kids got off the bus. When the children were older, she was a popular substitute teacher and a tour guide at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 

 She and husband Fred were genealogists of considerable accomplishment. For 50 years they traveled the eastern United States, with occasional trips to Europe in search of their ancestors. Early, they were often accompanied by Sally’s mother and later by their daughter. Together, the four of them self-published seven hard-cover volumes of family history.

 Sally Comer was a rock; the foundation from which our family grew and prospered. We are forever grateful. And we will miss her very much!

In accordance with the family’s wishes cremation has taken place and a time for visiting will be held at Avink, McCowen and Secord Funeral Home, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002, on Monday, October 14, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Memorials made in Sally’s memory may be directed to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Sally’s guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Comer family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002. 269-344-5600.