MARY ANN BALLEW Cedar Rapids Mary Ann Ballew, 72, of Denver, Colo., formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. Surviving are her children, Michael Backstrom (Denver), Stacie Backstromb (Denver), Anthony Backstrom (Cedar Rapids), Edward Backstrom (Cedar Rapids) and Tricia OBannon (Cedar Rapids); a brother, John Cooper; a sister, Joyce Cropp; a special daughter, Gloria Shorty; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey Whitley and Ella Cooper and Lester Ballew; former husband, Robert Backstrom; and brother, Charles Cooper.
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