Rita M. Ball

Rita Mae Ball was born July 15, 1917, at rural Denison, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Margaret Watje. She died Monday, January 1, 2018, at Reed Place in Denison, Iowa, at the age of one hundred.
Rita received her education in the schools near her home and then was employed at Montgomery Ward for several years. Rita and Robert Ball were united in marriage August 10, 1948, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, Iowa. The couple made their home in Denison and were blessed with the birth of three children. Rita was a homemaker and operated a yarn shop in the basement of their home for many years where she taught people how to knit and crochet.
Sewing for her children and grandchildren brought Rita much pleasure. She also enjoyed ballroom dancing with Bob, baking – especially apple pies, oil painting, quilting, listening to music and flower and vegetable gardening in particular growing sweet corn and tomatoes.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob in 2000; two sisters, Bernadine and Margaret; and one brother, Charles. Survivors include: one son, Charles and his wife, Paula; two daughters, Cathy and her husband, Kenneth; and Teresa and her husband, Jeffrey; nine grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.