- Date Of Birth: October 5, 1951
- Date Of Death: May 1, 2022
- State: Indiana
Sally J. Siegrist passed away on May 1, 2022, at the age of 70 in West Lafayette, IN. She was born on October 5, 1951 to Jane Palmblade Siegrist and Daniel D. Siegrist in Lafayette, IN.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University and an MBA from the Krannert School of Business at Purdue University.
Sally had a love of horses starting early in life. She began giving riding lessons on a friend’s Lafayette farm and attending horse shows in her mid-teens.
She became an accomplished equestrian and was involved in showing Quarter Horses nationally. In 1974 she won the Indiana Quarter Horse Association Queen contest, which led to her representing the Hoosier state at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, OH, the largest Quarter Horse show in the country. She was crowned the All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen. Congress Queens exemplify beauty, intelligence and sportsmanship. This was an impressive achievement in the Quarter Horse world.
Sally traveled the Eastern United States continuing her successful show career at major Quarter Horse show circuits and State Fair horse shows, amassing an impressive show record. She rode in the Essex 3-day event on her cherished Irish horse, Shane, and competed in dressage with Palermo, her beloved Hanoverian stallion. Later, she taught dressage on her New Jersey farm.
She also had a deep love for Jack Russell Terriers. She rarely was without a furry companion and loved Raz, Spud, and Grace with her whole heart.
Sally was a woman of faith with many interests and talents. In addition to her passion for horses, she was also an excellent chef. Sally took this interest and grew it into a successful small business through hard work and determination as was her style. She served as a personal chef for several years in New Jersey.
After returning to West Lafayette, Sally spent many hours giving back to her community. She was a member of the Tippecanoe County Council, serving District 4 from 2014-2016. In 2016 Sally was elected State Representative for District 26, and served one term from November 2016-November 2018. Committee assignments included Ways and Means, Agriculture and Rural Development and Select Committees on Government Reduction. During her time in the state legislature, Sally authored a bill to combat Human Trafficking, an issue she was most passionate about addressing. Sally later served as a Community Liaison for U. S. Representative Jim Baird.
When not serving the community in her political capacities, she spent time volunteering for local organizations including; Court Appointed Special Advocates, Court Services Advisory Board, Riley Hospital for Children Northwest Region Fundraising Board, Rotary Club of Lafayette, Tippecanoe Arts Federation CPIC, and the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation Board. Sally was also involved in Bible Study Fellowship and served as a leader with this group for several years.
Sally was awarded Indiana’s highest honor when she received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award by Governor Eric Holcomb in April 2021. The Sagamore of the Wabash Award is a personal tribute given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the State of Indiana or to the Governor. The honoree is distinguished by his or her humanity in living, loyalty in friendship, wisdom in counsel, and inspiration in leadership.
Sally’s beautiful and meaningful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her community, friends, and family. Sally’s family and friends wish to thank the nurses and staff of Elara Caring and University Place for the love and care shown to Sally.
Cremation rights have been accorded.
