Sally Jo McLennan Truhlar, age 92, passed away peacefully at her home in Lincoln, NE on March 2, 2024. Sally was born on November 3, 1931 in Waco, McLennan County, TX to Will McLennan and Nettie Louise Gray McLennan. Her family has lived in China Spring, McLennan County, TX since 1872.
Visitation: 5 – 7PM Thursday, March 7 at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 2PM Friday, March 8 at Lake Shore Funeral Home. Burial will follow to China Spring Cemetery. CLICK HERE to view the Live Stream of the service
Sally’s great-grandfather, John McLennan worked as the official surveyor of the Republic of Texas and with Major George Erath laid the first lots of Waco on March 1,1849. It was John’s idea to make Waco the county seat of McLennan County which was named after John’s father, Neill McLennan, Sr. who was Sally’s great-great grandfather. Sally’s father, Will McLennan was a farmer and rancher in China Spring, TX, serving on the China Spring School Board and naming Sally after the School Superintendent, Sally Talbert.
Sally attended China Spring Public Schools and decided in 7th grade that she would follow her two brothers and join the military. She was a straight A student, attended Waco High School, graduated in 1949 and joined the Air Force on November 10,1949. Sally served as Movement Identification Technician in Aircraft Control & Warning Systems of the Air Defense Command Headquarters achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 32nd Air Division Hancock Field in upstate New York. After active duty before, during and after the Korean War, Sally attended Sheffield School of Federal Aeronautics in Miami, FL where she was an aircraft dispatcher, ground instructor, ratings navigation and meteorologist, pilot single engine landing and commercial pilot. She graduated from Sheffield in December, 1954 and returned to China Spring, TX. She served in the Air Force Reserves until January 21, 1960.
In 1955 Sally moved to live with her brother, William, an Air Force Major, and his family who were stationed at the Air Force Base in Lincoln, Nebraska and began working at Goodyear that same year. Sally worked in the shipping department at Goodyear, became the first female supervisor and retired in 1992 after working for Goodyear for 37 years. Sally’s dream was to pilot a Goodyear Blimp and in 1964 she was the copilot of the Columbia Blimp.
Sally married Robert J. Truhlar, Sr. on June 5, 1960 in Waco, TX. Sally and Bob lived in Lincoln, NE raising their daughter, Mary Louise (Mary Lou) and Robert Jr. (Bobby). Sally, Bob, and their family enjoyed many family vacations and Sally and Bob traveled throughout the United States and especially enjoyed their trip to Scotland, Ireland and England.
Sally was active in many organizations in Texas and Nebraska, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the American Legion, Woodmen of the World, the Scottish Society of Nebraska, the Nebraska Nut Growers Association and China Spring Civic Club. Her special interests included researching McLennan genealogy and tracing her family tree, fishing, gardening, planting fruit and nut trees, crocheting and making jelly and jams.
Left to grieve her loss is daughter; Mary Louise (Todd) Frauen, son; Robert J. Truhlar, Jr., grandchildren; Ian Frauen, Shiloh Frauen, Sierra Frauen and Sean Frauen, nieces, and nephews; Ruth Carole (Marvin) Schutza, Stephanie (Greg) Schaefer, and Jean Ann Ponsor, Tim Coplen, Dennis Coplen, Pat Martin, Sandy Bordeaux, Janet Tucker, Mike Biglin, Karen Biglin, and many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.
Preceded in death by spouse; Robert J. Truhlar, Sr. on January 25, 2014, sisters; Jean Ray, Louise, and twin, Patsy Ann, brothers; William Wilson and Lone Davis.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.LakeShoreFH.com
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
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