Sally J Baumgartner

Sally came into this world on October 24th, 1942 to her loving parents Robert and Wanda (Cooperider) Sims in Marengo, Iowa. Two years later her baby brother Bobby joined the family.

Sally enjoyed growing up in Marengo, Iowa where she graduated from Iowa Valley Junior-Senior High School in 1960. Sally enjoyed helping to plan her class reunions with her friends for many years.

After high school Sally moved to Cedar Rapids to attend The Paris Beauty Academy.. Sally enjoyed her work as a hairdresser for many years and made life-long friends with her customers and coworkers. Thanks to some car trouble she met the love of her life Dan. They were married on December 3rd 1966 and made their life in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sally was proud that she worked to help Dan return to college and earn his engineering degree. Ten years later they were thrilled at the arrival of their daughter Katie and two years later they were blessed with another daughter Sarah. Sally was a devoted mom, volunteering at school, serving as a Bluebird leader, chauffeur to lessons and was always willing to load up her station wagon with a bunch of “giggling girls”! Sally never missed attending any of her children’s events. She joined Beta Sigma Phi where she enjoyed many volunteering activities and made life- long friends.

One of Sally’s greatest joys was cooking and entertaining for her family and friends and even people from Dan’s work that were far from home and needed a home cooked meal. Her St. Patrick Day parties are legendary! One of the perks was that she always made enough to feed an army, and you could count on leftovers!

One of Sally’s favorite past times was cheering on the Hawkeye football and basketball teams! Sally enjoyed many fun fall days tailgating with friends and was known to cheer for her friend’s kids and grandkids. BUT her favorite athletes to cheer for were her grandchildren, Beau, Paige and Ava.

We will miss being able to ask her for advice- which sometimes you got whether you wanted it or not- on all things but especially- cooking, cleaning, cosmetology and raising children. We were lucky to live, laugh and love alongside Sally.

Her family and friends were truly her treasures in this life!

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Wanda (Cooperider) Sims and her brother, Robert Sims and other loving relatives.

Sally leaves behind her loving husband Dan, Katie (Jamie) VanBerkum of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sarah (Jeff) Egnatic of Merriam Kansas. Her grandchildren; Beau, Paige and Ava VanBerkum of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and nieces, nephews and family members. Sally also leaves behind hundreds of her lifelong friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marengo Swimming Pool Fund, a project very dear to her heart.

Marengo Pool Committee

P.O. Box 267

Marengo, Iowa 52301

(Please make checks payable to the City of Marengo)

Or a charity of your choosing.