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Kathleen "Kathy" Ball

kathleen

September 24, 1951 ~ January 6, 2022

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Kathleen "Kathy" Ann Ball, age 70 of Little Turkey, Iowa passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, January 6, 2022, at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic in Lawler with Rev. Nick Radloff officiating. Private family burial will be at a later date at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Reilly Ridge. Friends may greet the family from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 6:00 p.m. scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church in Lawler on Wednesday. Kathy was born on Sept. 24, 1951, to Florian and Irma (Wurzer) Hageman in New Hampton, and she grew up on a farm north of Lawler, the second oldest of the Hageman's 10 children. She attended country school, and when Turkey Valley was formed, she took the bus each day to and from school in Jackson Junction. At Turkey Valley High School, she was a member of the choir and active in 4-H. She graduated with the Class of 1969. Kathy attended Area I, the forerunner to Northeast Iowa Community College, for secretarial training and then took a job in La Crosse, Wisconsin, working for Trane Heating and Air. While she was working La Crosse, Doug Ball was home on leave from the Army and he had a friend who mentioned he should call Kathy and, to this day, he'll tell you it was the best phone call he ever made. The two began dating, fell in love, and were married on April 3, 1971, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Reilly Ridge – rural Lawler. Kathy joined Doug at Fort Hood in Texas, and the couple then moved to Iowa when her husband finished his military career, living south of Fredericksburg. They later returned to Texas for work, to finally come back to Iowa five years later to settle by Little Turkey, where the Balls raised their three children — Lisa, Jared, and Chad. The Ball children had a mother who lived a life that was the epitome of selflessness. Kathy always put others — her husband, her children, her friends, and complete strangers — first. She served as Girl Scout leader, loved working on various crafts and projects especially quilting and needle point, enjoyed tending her gardens and flowers, found joy in bird watching, and was a faithful servant at both Reilly Ridge and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, where she served as director of religion education for a number of years and spent many hours promoting, growing and, supporting the Catholic Church. In 1987, she accepted a position as a custodian at Turkey Valley Community Schools — both students and staff members — throughout the years remember her for not only the diligent work she did but also for the kindness and caring she showed them throughout her 28 ½ years with the district. Kathy loved volunteering, and her amazing organizational skills helped the many organizations that she supported. She donated blood, she made beautiful Quilts of Valor for area veterans, she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America at Mt. Carmel, and she was a Lifetime Member of the Lawler American Legion Auxiliary. She and Doug willingly gave their time to the Chickasaw County Food Pantry, she was a member of the Chickasaw County Community Foundation, she sponsored children through the Catholic Foundation (Unbound) and her current "kids" were from Uganda and Honduras. She was a member of the Seven Sisters of Apostolate. Kathy would do anything to make the world around her a better place. If she saw weeds in the sidewalk or in the flower beds at church, it never occurred to her to walk past; instead, there she was, pulling the weeds before going into a Mass or a meeting. The Balls loved to travel — visiting places like Rome, Maine, Hawaii, and Alaska — but in her later life, the best days for Kathy came on those when she could spoil her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Doug; two sons, Jared (Kimberly) Ball of Lawler and Chad (Crystal) Ball of Ft. Mitchell, AL; one daughter, Lisa (Rob) Cloninger of Boise, ID; her mother, Irma Hageman of New Hampton; eight grandchildren, Alex, Justin & Ethan Cloninger, Courtney & Lauren Ball, Jordan Prevette, Damian & Dominic Ball; two great-grandchildren, Peyton Cloninger and Lakelyn Moody; two brothers, Robert “Tex” Hageman of Davis Corners, Mark Hageman of New Hampton; six sisters, Karen (Keith) Weiss of Madison, Wisconsin, Jolene (Joe) Rosenbaum of Little Turkey, Alice Miller of Ossian, Laurie (Doug) Hanson of Decorah, Sylvia (Jeff) Schluetter of New Hampton, Gladys (Randy) Schluetter of New Hampton; one sister-in-law, Nancy (Kevin) Willadsen of New Hampton and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ronald Hageman; father, Florian (Zip) Hageman; parents-in-law, Orville and Viola Ball; brother-in-law, Joe Miller.

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  5. We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Lifting your family up in prayer. May God’s peace surround you as you go through the days ahead.

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  16. We’re so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Kathy was a wonderful lady and a beautiful seamstress. She designed and made our nephew’s Quilt of Valor.

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  20. Doug & family, My sympathy and prayers to you and your family. I’ve known Kathy for a lot of years and have been a member of QOV Freedom Strippers. I am sorry I will not be able to attend her services as I had an episode the day before Christmas and staying with my daughter. You are in my prayers.

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  23. I am so shocked & saddened by Kathy’s death, she was a valued member of our Quilt of Valor group & a great friend, she will be greatly missed!

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  25. Thoughts and prayers being sent to Doug and their family. Kathy had a heart of gold and would help anybody. She will sure be missed everywhere she went.

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  28. So completely shocked and saddened. LOVED working with Kathy, picking fabrics for Quilts of Valor and her hand embroidery. Heaven gained a beautiful soul 😥💔😇

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  32. So sorry to hear for worked with Kathy 12 years at Turkey Valley and enjoyed working with her. She will be missed.

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  35. So shocked and saddened to hear this. Kathy was one of the kindest people I knew! A heart of gold! She will be so missed by so many! Prayers to your family!

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  43. What a shock . She was an amazing woman and so kind. Loved her quilts and the work she did for the quilts of valor. She will be missed
    Prayers to the family 🙏

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  55. Prayers and thoughts to the Ball family. Kathy was a caring person that touched many lives. She will be missed.

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  64. Sending prayers to the Ball family. Kathy was such a caring person with a deep love for her family. She will be missed!

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  69. There are no words …

    Kathy was a pillar of strength in our communities. A gracious and faithful leader in all of her volunteerism. She will be greatly missed. Heaven claimed a “champion angel” when she arrived. Rest In Peace, Oh Faithful Servant, Rest in Peace ✝️.

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  70. Doug and family; Prayers coming your way. Met Kathy on our trip to Rome. And saw her a few times after that. So friendly and easy to talk to. Godspeed!

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  79. Very difficult news to hear, still in shock. Prayers to the Hageman and Ball families. Will miss my cousin Kathy.

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  98. Our deepest sympathy to Doug and your family. Praying your memories carry you through this sorrowful time.

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  99. I send thoughts and prayers to the family. Can’t stop thinking about Kathy. Disbelief, shocked, and sad. She will be missed.

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  102. I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Kathy’s passing. I will deeply miss her popping into the shop and seeing her at the grand kids games. The whole family has my deepest sympathies. Lots of hugs and prayers

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  104. Deepest sympathy to Doug, and family and all. Thoughts & prayers. She will be missed. 🙏❤I am so sorry to hear.

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  105. We are so very sorry. Kathy was such a “charm” to be around. We will continue to pray for peace and strength for your entire family.

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  108. Prayers to the whole family. Kathy was an amazing woman and I was so lucky to grew up with her as a neighbor down the road from us.

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  110. Deepest sympathy & continued prayers for Doug, Lisa, Jared, Chad, all her family & loved ones. She was so kind & caring. Fond memories from the Ridge, CCD classes & TV.🙏🏻

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  118. Prayers to Kathy’s family. I knew her through American Legion Auxiliary and the quilt shop where I volunteer. Thinking of you.

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  120. Kathy was a wonderful lady who always thought of others before herself. She was a talented quilter and shared her love in so many ways. Her beautiful smile and sweet personality will be missed. Hugs for the family.

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  121. Dave and I want to send our sympathy to all the family. Kathy was such a nice person and will be missed by all who knew her. We met Kathy on a bus trip and after that we had such nice visits when we were together. Our prayers go out to all of her family. We are so sorry Doug for your great loss.

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  122. My condolences and prayers to the family! I had the pleasure of working with Kathy at Turkey Valley. She was a wonderful person, made me laugh all the time, and she will be missed! Cherish her memory💕🙏🏻

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  126. This is heartbreaking…. My thoughts and prayers are with Doug and the whole family!! 🙏💓

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  127. Doug and family, We are so very saddened by your tragic loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Wayne & Pat Arnold

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  134. So saddened to hear of Kathy’s passing. She was a sweet and wonderful person. She babysat our children when the family lived in our area. Sympathy go out to her family. Ilene Petersen

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  138. To the family, friends, communities….so very sorry for your loss. Kathy made a difference in so many lives. Her memory and community impact will live on.

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  139. So sorry to hear this. May her memories console you today. Our prayers to all her family. Jeanne and David Roder

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  141. My deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers of comfort to Doug, Lisa, Jared, and Chad, and all those who will miss her dearly. Kathy was such a wonderful, loving, and kind person. Wherever I would stay overnight with Lisa or come visit she always made sure I felt like I was another one of her kids. She was one of the best and touched so many lives while working at Turkey Valley. She will never be forgotten.

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  142. Doug and Family, We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. John and Cathy Sabelka

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  144. Our sympathy to all her family. She was instrumental in setting up the quilts of valor program. Thanks for her service. Leroy & Louise Cutsforth

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  147. Our prayers are with your family. Please let us know if we can do anything, no matter the distance. With Love from the Clegg’s

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  150. My sincere sympathy to your entire family. Kathy was a delightful person with a huge heart. I have many fond memories of our years at Turkey Valley. Lynn Reissner Keller

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  153. Doug we are so sorry to hear of Kathy”s passing. Please accept our sympathy. May your memories bring you strength and comfort in the days to come.

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  154. Sincerest condolences to the family of the much accomplished Catholic Daughter Regent of the Lawler Court, from the Court Queenship of Mary #1806 in Waucoma. She will definitely leave a void in our Cluster.

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