Myrna Ballard

MYRNA L. BALLARD

Fairfax

Myrna L. Ballard, 79, of Fairfax, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at John XXIII Catholic Church with the Rev. Dustin Vu officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour before services Saturday at the church.

Survivors include children, Brett (Janine Morazan) Ballard of Cedar Rapids, Brenda (James) Bata of Owasso, Okla., Barbara (Ron) Winter of Oelwein and Bart (Yolanda) Ballard of Kingsville, Texas; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sister, Patricia (John) Dvorak of Dubuque; brother, Francis (Deborah) Mertens of Atlanta; sister-in-law, Mary Mertens of Des Moines; stepsister, Pat (Alan) Wanderer of Montana; and stepbrother, Bob (Heather) Novak of Arizona. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Leonard Novak; husband, Charles, in 2003; and a brother, Bill Mertens.

Myrna Louise Mertens was born June 30, 1938, in Lime Springs, Iowa, the daughter of Myron and Mary (Biever) Mertens. On March 21, 1964, she married Charles Ballard in Cedar Rapids. Myrna was an active member of John XXIII Catholic Church and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.

Memorial donations may be given in her name to John XXIII Catholic Church, 8100 Roncalli Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under "obituaries."