Sally Joanne Hatten
July 31,
1948 — September 2, 2025
Cleveland,
Ohio
Sally Joanne
Hatten, 77, of Cleveland, Ohio, and formerly of Butler, Missouri, passed away
on September 2, 2025, after a short illness.
She was born
on July 31, 1948, in Warrenton, Missouri, the daughter of Alvin Bert Gerdes and
Mary Elizabeth (Wallace) Gerdes. A graduate of the UMKC Conservatory of Music
and Central Missouri State University, she lived nearly 50 years in Butler and
worked as a music teacher in the Adrian, Metz, Rich Hill, and Miami (Missouri)
schools before moving to Cleveland to be closer to family.
Sally loved
music, singing, Broadway shows, and playing the piano. She also enjoyed
cooking, reading, and learning. She valued community service and education and
took particular joy in catering events and parties and serving in leadership
roles at the Butler Public Library. In her later years, she became connected
with the Cleveland Sight Center, where she found meaningful resources and
community.
She is
survived by her children: S. Alex Ruthmann and fiancée Carrie Lyu (Shanghai,
China); Nick Ruthmann and wife Allison Girvin (Cleveland, Ohio); Beth (Hatten)
Bornman and husband Donnie (Republic, Missouri); and Chris Hatten and wife Ali
(San Antonio, Texas). Her grandchildren also survive her: Lilly, Charlotte,
Shelby, Seraphim, Amelia, and Norah, along with extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Robert L. Hatten; her sister, Kay
Caroline (Gerdes) Brown; her parents; and her beloved Great Pyrenees dogs.
A private
memorial will be held among family. Friends, family, and former students are
encouraged to visit her Facebook page to share remembrances, favorite songs,
recipes, and memories: https://www.facebook.com/sally.hatten.9.
In lieu of
flowers, contributions may be made to the Butler Public Library (Butler,
Missouri), Great Pyrenees Rescue Society, or the Future Vision Foundation
(Cleveland, Ohio).
Funeral
arrangements entrusted to Slone & Co. Funeral Directors.
