Regena Alice Bates Sinclair

Regena Alice (Bates) Sinclair died Sunday, October 5, 2014, at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny, Iowa. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 9, 2014 at First Church of Christ, 310 NW Ash Dr., Ankeny. Burial will follow at 3 p.m., Thursday at Oakview Cemetery, 602-2nd Ave. Albia, Iowa. Visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Ankeny Funeral Home 1510 W. First St. Ankeny.

Born July 16, 1920, to Guy Owen Bates and Dorothea Alice Boggs, Regena was raised in rural Albia, where she attended Tick Ridge School, Monroe Co., Iowa. After graduation from Albia High School in 1938, Regena married James Dewayne Sinclair on June 4, 1939. Regena received her Teaching Certificate from the State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and taught at Watson and Williamson schools in Monroe Co., for various periods of time between 1938-1957. A volunteer 4-H leader for eight years, she was also a pianist at Union Chapel Church in rural Blakesburg, Iowa.

Living in rural Albia and Blakesburg areas for twenty-four years, they raised seven children, who she would often affectionately call “her 7 M’s”. In 1965, Regena moved with her family to the Maxwell area, where she lived until she and Dewayne retired from Iowa farming and moved to Pompano Beach, FL, 1975. After many years of being a Farm Bureau member, she enjoyed a new role in the Garden Isles Social Club. After Dewayne’s death in 1980, Regena settled in Ankeny, Iowa. In 1982, she become a member of the Ankeny First Church of Christ, where she played the organ, and for many years volunteered to play weekly for the residents at Sunny View Care Center. After moving into the care center in 2010, Regena once again shared her love of music with fellow residents, with the volunteer Fiddler’s group on Thursday afternoons, until September, 2014. Besides reading, knitting, and sharing her musical talent with others, Regena loved spending time with her family and friends.

Preceded in death by her loving husband, both parents, two sisters, one brother, one grandchild, and one great-grandchild. Regena is survived by all 7 M’s; Marilyn Douglas of Ankeny, IA, Merle Sinclair of Burleson, TX, Marion (Jan) Sinclair of Grimes, IA, Martha (George) Illg of Bode, IA, Madelyn (Mike) Tetmeyer of Bradenton, Fl., Milan (Dawn) Sinclair of Edwardsville, KS, and Mona (Bill) Carstensen of Casa Grande, AZ; twenty-three grandchildren, forty-two great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, numerous step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, and step great-great grandchildren. She will be lovingly remembered by her music, her smile and wonderful sense of humor, and “Let it go” attitude.

In lieu of flowers, family has requested memorials be sent to the Activities Program at Sunny View Care Center 410 NW Ash St. Ankeny, IA 50023.