Sally Baar

Sally Jo (Mc Gilvra) Baar was born February 1, 1949 in Hull, Iowa, to Dr. Arthur Lawrence McGilvra and Marian Fay (Roggen).

Sally attended elementary, junior and senior high school in Sioux Center, Iowa. While in school she was active in cheerleading and the tennis team. Sally is claimed to have beat her classmate Vern Den Herder in arm wrestling in the third grade.

After graduating from high school in 1967, Sally enrolled at Central College as a physical education major. While in College, Sally continued her love of cheerleading.

While at Central, Sally caught the eye of Timothy John Baar, of New Jersey. She won his heart with her amazing personality, great fashion sense and amazing cheesecake.

Sally and Tim married in July of 1970 in the basement of Sally’s parents’ home in Sioux Center, Iowa. Sally then returned to Central College to finish her physical education degree, graduating in 1971, as her husband Tim served time in the Army.

Once graduated, Sally and Tim settled in Pella, Iowa, where Sally taught PE in the Lynnville-Sully school district.

After giving birth to their first child Tara Sue in Pella, in 1975, Sally and Tim moved to Arizona where their second child Nicholas Warren was born in 1979.

While in Arizona Sally did the books for their Vermeer business. She also worked at their church as the church secretary.

After moving briefly to Idaho, Sally and Tim moved their family back to Pella Iowa in 1985.

Community involvement and church activities quickly filled Sally‘s life those include: Second Reformed church secretary, youth director, Sunday school teacher, consistory member, women’s organizations, “God's Dancers”, custodian at Second Reformed Church, gymnastics teacher, tulip queen ambassador, founding board member of Union Street players, city band, Central College post office, modern language and business development secretary, cheerleading and pom coach, and pep band director Central College. 

Sally enjoyed spending time with her friends and could often be seen driving through town with her dog on her lap helping her steer.

Ten years ago, signs of Parkinson’s started limiting Sally’s usual activities. She became active in Rock Steady Boxing of Pella, where she entertained her friends with her humor, fashion and great moves.

Sally has spent the last two years in the care of The Cottages of Pella.

Sally is survived by her faithful and loving husband of 53 years Tim, daughter and son-in-law Tara and Aaron Bakken of Franklin, Tennessee. Son and daughter-in-law Nicholas and Lindsay Baar of Chardon, Ohio, five grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law Sue and Kevin Drey of Pella, Iowa, and sister-in-law Deb McGilvra of Des Moines.

Sally’s wit, fashion, and love, especially for her grandkids, will be a great loss to all of us. Sally Jo was one of a kind!

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