Ballard, Ruth A.

Ruth A. Ballard, 71, of Palo, passed on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids following a courageous battle with several medical issues. Services: 1 p.m. Tuesday at Teahen Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Stasia Fine. Burial: Palo Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday after 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Survivors include her husband, Donald of Palo; daughter, Donna (Rick) Lynes of Thornton, Colo.; sons, Rich (Christine) Ballard of St. Joseph, Ill., and Don (Tracy) Ballard of Long Beach, Miss.; seven special grandchildren, Chris, Cindy, James, Rachel, Richie, Alec and Brandon; brother, William Ervin of Ravenna, Ohio; sister, Laura Cottrel of Dover, Ohio; several nieces, nephews and special friends; and her special Border Collies, Digger and Gypsy.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ronald C. Ervin; and her faithful Chow-Chows, Bo and Rusty Jo.

Ruth Ann was born Sept. 8, 1942, in Coshocton, Ohio, the daughter of Gerald D. and Mary E. Floyd Ervin. She grew up on a farm in Rootstown, Ohio. She married Donald Ballard on June 20, 1975, at NAS, Cecil Field, Fla.

She was a caring and thoughtful wife, mother and grandmother. She loved her pets, but above all loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Ruth often delayed the family vacations to watch  Dallas or Survivor. Eating a meal on the kitchen table was hard to do because she always had a jigsaw puzzle on it waiting for completion. She enjoyed fishing with a cane pole, teddy bears, dragons, horses, loud music and loud cars. Ruth liked following the Denver Broncos (Orange Crush), with John Elway. You always knew when you got a letter from her because it was covered with stickers.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 4080 First Ave. NE, Suite 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, in Ruth's name.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.

Published Jan. 5, 2014 in The Gazette