Sina Elizabeth (Baumgardner) Hall, 105, passed away on March 15, 2018, at Briarwood Health Care Center, Iowa City, Iowa.  She was a previous resident of Walden Place, having moved to Iowa City in 2009 from her long-time home in Nevada, Iowa, to be near her son Jim.

Sina was born on June 21, 1912, in McCallsburg, Iowa, the daughter of Allan J. and Mildred (Matison) Baumgardner.  The family moved to Nevada in 1927, where Sina graduated from Nevada High School in 1929.  She then attended Drake University and obtained her teaching certificate.  Sina taught four years at Halley School, a one-room country schoolhouse built in 1874 that is now preserved by the Nevada Community Historical Society at the Evergreen Lane Historical Complex.

In 1934, Sina was married to Oscar L. Hall.  They resided in Nevada and raised two sons, Fredric and James.  Oscar died in 1983.

Sina was an active person throughout her life.  She was very athletic, once scoring 58 points in a game for the McCallsburg High School girls’ six-on-six basketball team.  She played golf and tennis, and until recent years was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and professional basketball.

Sina loved music and played the piano.  She actively encouraged the musical talents and skills of her family and supported the Hall Trio dance band, consisting of Oscar playing the Hammond organ, Fred playing the trumpet and Jim on the drums.

Named for her Danish grandmother, Sina was always proud of her heritage.  This was perhaps best demonstrated by her skill in baking kringla, a Danish pastry savored by friends and family.  She carefully taught the preparation of this delicacy to her son Jim, and was featured in a video passing along the tradition to her grandchildren.  Her grandson, Chris, has carried on the kringla-making tradition by following this video.  Sina’s kitchen and oven were always busy, trying out new recipes.

Sina also was a skilled seamstress, quick to make, alter, or hem clothes.  For many years, she made any needed alterations in the men’s clothing store owned by her brother.  She was also an accomplished quilter, making 25 beautiful quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as several quilted wall-hangings.  Sina enjoyed drawing and painting and was an excellent woodworker, making furniture pieces for her home and large play structures for grandchildren.  For a period of time, she conducted craft classes for young children, helping them to learn to enjoy various forms of art and crafts.

While living in Nevada Sina was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she was a member of a UMW Circle and taught Sunday school.  She was also a member of PEO, the Kensington Club, and several bridge clubs.

Sina was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Lyle; her sister, Frieda (who died of scarlet fever), and infant sister, Amelia.  

She is survived by two sons, Fred (Nancy) Hall of Fearrington Village, NC, and Jim (Penny) Hall of Iowa City.  Sina’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren are James J. (Susan) Hall of Apple Valley, MN and daughter Anna of Brooklyn, New York, Kirsten (Jason) Long and children Alex and Sophia of St. Paul, MN, Rebecca Hall (Nick Goldfinger) and son Theo of Thireuil, France, Christopher (Amber) Hall and children Grace and Gavin of Bettendorf, IA, and Gregory (Jaclyn) Hall and daughters Ruby and Rebecca of West Liberty, IA.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, May 19^th, from 9-10 a.m. at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City.  A memorial celebration will begin at 10 a.m.  Burial will follow the service in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery.  The family will greet friends at the Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada immediately following committal services. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Nevada, 1036 7^th Street, Nevada, IA, 50201.

Sina will be deeply missed by her family and her many friends. The family wishes to thank the staff of Briarwood Health Care Center and deeply appreciates the care Sina received in recent years.