Mary Gay Ballard, age 79, of Norwalk, died suddenly with family at her side Monday evening, August 6, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. A visitation with the family will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 9th with a funeral service at 10 a.m. Friday, August 10th at the Norwalk Christian Church. Burial will follow in the Norwalk Cemetery. For on-line condolences and order flowers click the “send tributes/flowers” tab on this screen or call (515) 981-0700. Mary’s Life Story Mary, the daughter of Thomas Paul and Ruby Edna (nee: Inman) Ballard, was born April 21, 1939 in Des Moines. Mary grew up on the south-side of Des Moines alongside her four siblings, graduating from Lincoln High School. While in school Mary met the love of her life, Roger Ballard. They were married April 6, 1956, and to this union had four children, Thomas, Douglas, Lori, and Timothy. Following their marriage they lived in Newport, RI, New Orleans, LA, Des Moines, IA, and Robbinsdale, MN before moving to Norwalk in 1967. Mary, a homemaker, had various jobs that included an in-home daycare provider, clerk with the U.S. Post Office, part-owner of the Sweet Shoppe, manager at 4 Sons Convenience Store, and at one time ran a ceramic shop selling pottery and giving lessons. Mary had several hobbies including round and square-dancing and playing the hammered dulcimer and the auto harp, which she played at area nursing homes and with her music group Echo Valley Strings. She and Roger loved to camp, spending winters in Arizona and California in their RV. They also loved boating and fishing. Mary has been a member of the Norwalk Christian Church for over 50 years, where she was involved with the choir. Mary is survived by her loving husband, Roger of Norwalk; four children, Thomas (Linda) of Hastings, MN, Douglas, Sr. (Kathy) of Norwalk, Lori (Daylin) Van Dyk of Norwalk, and Timothy (Donna) of Norwalk; 10 grandchildren, Thomas, Franklin, Vincent, Nicole, Douglas, Jr., Kaila, Allison, Amy, Dillon, and Dallas; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Nadine (Ed) Curry of Milo; and a sister-in-law, Marge Thompson of Marshall, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings, Charlotte, Jim, and Irvin.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Gay Ballard April 21 1939 August 6 2018 (age 79).
O’Leary Funeral & Cremation Services
Death notice for the town of: Norwalk, state: Iowa