Mary Ball

April 18, 1931 ~ December 22, 2024
Born in:
Lawler, IA
Resided in:
Fredericksburg, IA
Mary Ball age 93 of Fredericksburg, IA died Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Hillcrest Living Campus in Sumner, IA.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg with Deacon Vic DeSloover officiating. Interment will be held in Rose Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2024, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday.
Mary Virginia (Simon) Ball, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2024, at 93, in Sumner, Iowa. Born on April 18, 1931, in Lawler, Iowa, to Merle and Winifred (Hurd) Simon, Mary grew up on the family farm with a spirit that would become a beacon of warmth and guidance to all who knew her.
Mary’s early education was rooted in her hometown, where she attended Mt. Carmel Parochial School. During high school, the family moved and Mary graduated from New Hampton High in 1948. During high school, she shone as a cheerleader and basketball player, showcasing her leadership and team spirit.
Upon entering the workforce, Mary’s first position was in the record department at the Hospital in New Hampton. Her career journey led her to Waterloo, Iowa, where she took on a role as a receptionist. It was in 1954 that Mary’s life took a joyful turn when she married Wiley Ball. The couple settled on the Ball family farm north of Fredericksburg, Iowa, where they were blessed with seven children: William, Masten, Russell, Michael, Casey, Christopher, and Marjory.
Mary’s life was a testament to her loving and faith-filled nature. While Wiley worked in town, she dedicated herself to raising their children on the farm. Her commitment to her family and community shone brightly in 1971 when she and Wiley purchased a tavern in Fredericksburg, which they managed until 1977. Mary’s unwavering faith led her to play a pivotal role in establishing a Catholic Church in Fredericksburg. The church opened its doors in 1974, with Mary serving on the Church board and making history as the first Religious Education Coordinator of St. Fredericks of Catholic Church.
Her professional path also included a significant tenure with the United States Postal Service. Mary’s diligence and dedication saw her becoming the Postmaster in Charge, with her career taking her to various locations, including Fredericksburg, Hawkeye, Allison, Waverly, and Sumner before she retired.
Mary’s life was a beautiful tapestry woven with devotion to her family, service to her community, and a steadfast faith that guided her every step. Those who knew her will remember Mary as the heart of her family, a friend to many, and a cherished member of her community.
Mary’s legacy is carried on by her loving sons, William (Barbara) Ball of Fredericksburg, Iowa, Russell (Debbie Heldt) Ball of Sumner, Iowa, Michael (Barbara) Ball of Allison, Iowa, Casey (Shelley Langfitt) Ball of Windsor Heights, Iowa, Chris (Sandy) Ball of Wapello, Iowa, and her daughter, Marjory (Joe) Ball Williams of Rochester, Minnesota. Her life was enriched by the joy of her children and the bond of a tight-knit family.
Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Wiley, in 2014, her dear son, Masten, in 2021, and her sister, Betty Jean (Bill) Tylee. Mary now reunites with them in eternal peace, leaving behind a legacy of love and faith that will forever resonate with those she touched.
Services
Service: December 28, 2024 10:30 am
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home - Fredericksburg
125 East Main Street
Fredericksburg, IA 50630
(563)237-6212
http://www.hugebackfuneralhome.com/
Cemetery: December 28, 2024 11:00 am
Rose Hill Cemetery
699 N Jackson Street
Fredericksburg, IA 50630
641-394-4334
Visitation: December 27, 2024 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home - Fredericksburg
125 East Main Street
Fredericksburg, IA 50630
(563)237-6212
http://www.hugebackfuneralhome.com/
My deepest condolences to the Ball family. Mary was a sweetheart and will be missed by many. Nancy Wegner
We took a gasp and cried a tear learning of this on this Christmas eve morning. Mary had a dear spot in our hearts, she always had some wisdom to share and a joke when we went out the door. I always shared a phrase for her to stay out of trouble till I came back, she was quick to say I will try my best with a giggle to end it.
Liz and Preston
Heartfelt condolences to Mary’s family. Favorite memory is when her & Wiley’s boys were playing baseball in their yard with my brothers and me. Somehow, I was hit in the forehead with a wooden bat, and the lump swelled almost immediately. She was so attentive with ice and sympathy — for quite a while because every time I got up, it swelled into a true goose egg. (She probably had practice attending to injuries with her boys!) Mary was always loving and sharp (double meaning). She would tell you what she thought. Her “love affair” with the Cubs was legendary. I, personally, will miss her.
Sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I got to know Mary years ago when she came to Curves in New Hampton. After Curves closed, some of us would meet for lunch from time to time. She was an interesting lady- fun, informative, and a little feisty (in a good way).