Sally Uchtman

Sally Uchtman, 78, of Oskaloosa, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Sally Jane Uchtman was born on April 29, 1947, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Raymond Conrad and Esther Marie (Schmull) Hahn. Born into an artistic family, Sally was creative and artistic from an early age; she was the Art Club President in high school and still cherished works from her early years. She graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School in 1965 and then went to work for State Farm Insurance Company in Lincoln. She met John Uchtman, a university student, in the fall of 1967, and they were married at the University of Nebraska Chapel on June 29, 1968. In August of that year, John accepted a teaching and coaching position at the Oskaloosa High School; fortunately, there was an opening for a secretary to the vice-principal and the athletic director, and Sally was well qualified to fill that role. She was employed at the high school for the remainder of her working career, but later took positions as a teacher’s aide and then as a library associate. Sally was involved with the Mahaska County Humane Society and Stephen’s Memorial Animal Shelter since the mid-1970s, holding positions as treasurer and secretary for many years. She and John were also long-time volunteers at the Ecumenical Cupboard. She was active in the church after joining St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ in 2003. She was also active in the Democratic Party of Mahaska County and was a member of PFLAG. She had several hobbies over the years, but in 1981, she discovered the miniature hobby, which was the ultimate hobby for her. She collected, crafted, and sold miniatures throughout the rest of her life and formed a club that met at her home for decades. She was an avid flower gardener and enjoyed reading. Sally and John, for years, collected stamps together, which they both had done before they met. She enjoyed having “Pugs” in her younger years, but fell in love with cats when a stray showed up at their new house in 1978. Sally’s family includes her husband, John, of 57 years; her brother, Robert (Marilyn) Hahn of Lincoln, NE; two brothers-in-law, Jim (Phyllis) Uchtman of Omaha, NE, and Jeff (Lynette) Uchtman of Columbus, NE; and three nieces and two nephews. In addition to her parents, Sally was preceded in death by an infant sister. Memorial services for Sally will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 23, 2025, at St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ with Reverend Melissa Sternhagen officiating. A visitation will precede the service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with Sally’s final arrangements. Memorials can be made to the Mahaska County Humane Society or the St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ.

Sally Uchtman

April 29, 1947 - October 18, 2025