Carole Jean Ballard

Carole J. Ballard age 82, of Marengo, passed away Monday, January 23, 2023, at Highland Ridge Care Center, Williamsburg. A private graveside service will be held at the Marengo Cemetery with Rev. Joseph Blay officiating. Visitation: 4-7 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2023, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. A memorial fund has been established.

Carole is survived by her loving husband Richard, sons Jay (Sue) Ballard of Ladora, Reed (Michelle) Ballard of Marengo, Todd Ballard (Lynn Rodgers), of Marengo, and Troy (Erica) Ballard of Hills; four grandchildren Scott (Miranda) Ballard, Ashley (Mitch) Meinhart, Carissa (Matt) Untiedt and Logan Ballard; six great-grandchildren Tyler and Travis Ballard, Dena Meinhart, Brooks, Hayes and Briar Untiedt. Also surviving Carole is her sister Sherri Head of Waterloo, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Helen and Parlyn Plotz of Marengo, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law Keith and Janice Young, sister and brother-in-law Cleo and Howard Tuttle, brother-in-law Virgil Head, and a brother Garth in infancy.

Carole Jean Young was born March 31, 1940, in Marengo, Iowa, the daughter of Leo Leslie and Norma Alice Patterson Young. She graduated from Marengo High School with the class of 1958. Carole was united in marriage to Richard Joseph Ballard on December 28, 1958, in Marengo. Besides being a wife and a mother, she worked in the office at Amana Refrigeration, the Cottontail Corner Daycare in Marengo and Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo. Carole was a 50+ year member of the First United Methodist Church in Marengo. She enjoyed singing with the Believers. Carole had a passion for collecting dolls, having more than 1500 on display. She enjoyed baking, gardening and canning using the produce from her garden. She and Richard enjoyed square dancing and raising Salers cattle. Carole was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished her family with her whole heart. She was loved and will be missed by many.