Sally Ann (Studley) Baumgardner

Sally Ann Studley Baumgardner joined her Heavenly Father on Saturday, November 19, 2016.  Sally, 79, was born on October 25, 1937 in Hinsdale, Massachusetts; her parents were Lisle and Mary Studley (deceased), one sister, Mary (Scott) Creaser (deceased), and one brother Charles (Chris) Studley who lives in Walpole, Massachusetts.  Sally was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Dixon, Illinois.

Sally was the wife and 57 year loving spouse of Max Baumgardner.   They were married in Hartford, Connecticut on March 21, 1959 where both were employed by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Sally’s career evolved around her children and her passion for nature.  She had four children; Gretchen (Jim) Hill of West Chester, Ohio, Karen (Charles) Parker of Wayne, Nebraska, Erich (Ann) Baumgardner of West Chester, Ohio, and Kenneth Baumgardner of Franklin Grove, Illinois.  Sally is the grandmother to seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, and they live in Ohio, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

Sally graduated from Becker Junior College in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1958 with a degree in Marketing, and after raising her children, she then entered the University of Cincinnati at the age of 48 to pursue her true love of biology and other science subjects.  Sally devoted much of her life to educating children about birds, animals, trees and the prairies of Illinois.  For many years she would take her pet fox snake- The Professor- into the Oregon, Illinois fifth grade classes and teach them not to be afraid of these reptiles.  She would sometimes have 100’s of fifth graders visit the Prairie at Nachusa Grasslands (outside of Franklin Grove, Illinois), helping them learn about their Prairie State home and then, at the conclusion of their visit, let each child have an opportunity to hold the snake before leaving for home.  Even a few teachers and other adults would hold the Professor-but not very many!  Sally worked with injured owls and hawks, displaying them on her arm for teaching children at various grade schools in the Chicago Suburbs, and she thoroughly enjoyed the educational aspects of these demonstrations.  Sally also spent several years as a bus Tour Guide for the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, and lead several Eagle spotting trips to the Mississippi River. 

Sally never truly retired.  In the early 1990’s, Sally and Max moved to the country (Ogle County, Illinois) so that she could help restore the native prairie plant life that had long been removed from much of Northern Illinois.  Today, she has what could be one of the best stands of prairie plants that is located on the hill behind her Rolling Thunder Prairie Home, a home that is surrounded by Nachusa Grasslands.  She was extremely excited when, after many years of discussion, bison were introduced to the Grasslands; we are sure she will continue to enjoy them and her prairie home from her heavenly home.

A member of numerous nature organizations, Sally was a one-time President of the DuPage County Birding Club, and recently enjoyed her work as a Consultant for the Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County.  She was also a member of the Natural Area Guardians in Lee County, The Nature Conservancy, and it is well established that Sally was one of the earliest and very dedicated persons to believe in and practice recycling. 

A Memorial Service will be held at the Nachusa Grasslands Stewards Barn later this year.  A Mass will be said for Sally at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Dixon.  Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Dixon is in charge of handling funeral arrangements.  During the final months of Sally’s life here at Rolling Thunder Prairie, she received outstanding care by Serenity House Hospice Services and by dedicated home CNA nurses.  Webelieve these wonderful people deserve our profound appreciation for their caring attitudes and services.

And now, may Sally rest in Eternal Peace with her Heavenly Father.

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