Evelyn Ball

1919 - 2016

Evelyn N Ball
January 8,1919 - April 14, 2016
Evelyn (Nina) Ball, age 97, went to be with Jesus on April 14th 2016. A memorial service is planned for 6/4/2016 at 2 pm at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene- 601 16th Ave South, Nampa, ID 83651.
Evelyn was born on January 8, 1919 in New Castle, Wyoming to Frank and Zona Knapp. She was the oldest of 8 children. She graduated from Emporia Kansas high school on May 28th 1937. She is survived by her son Terrance K. Ball, daughter in law Karen (Pettis) Ball. She is also survived by her granddaughter Amy C. Ball, grandson Thomas Ryan Ball, his wife Kylee Vienna Ball and great grandson Abram Ball. Her youngest sister, Janice Wright survives her. Her brothers, Richard, Frank and her sisters Doris Knapp, Francis Fish, Wanda Holscher, Penny Davis preceded her in death.
Evelyn married the love of her life, Kenneth Ball on May 28th, 1941 in a small white church in Emporia, Kansas. She wore a catalog dress that cost $9.98 and Kenneth wore his best suit. They had punch and cupcakes on the lawn. Evelyn had met Kenneth when he was holding a revival in her church. During their courtship he wrote her love letters everyday for 2 years. After the wedding she thought it would be a great tradition to put on her wedding dress each anniversary. That is exactly what she did, until she accidentally scorched it while ironing one year.
Beginning their life together as husband and wife they took their first small church together in Kansas where Kenneth was paid $15.00 a week and given chickens to supplement his salary. From there they returned to work as traveling Evangelists for 12 years holding meetings throughout the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. She was a dedicated and diligent pastor's wife who prepared bulletins, cleaned the church and kept a spotless parsonage. She was a gracious hostess and a prayer warrior, who was faithful in all that she did. One of her many strengths as a pastor's wife was that she knew countless ways to stretch a dollar.
Kenneth and Evelyn were pastors in Coeur d'Lene, ID, Casper, WY, Sacramento, CA, Salt Lake City , UT , Eagle, ID and Nampa, ID. Growing out of their service and lives dedicated to Jesus Christ they made numerous life time friends. They helped people come to know Jesus Christ as their savior and were shepherds who were attentive to the needs of the people they served.
In September of 1954 Evelyn took a plane from Spokane, WA to Oklahoma City, OK and then traveled on to Deaconess Hospital in Bethany, OK. This is where she held for the first time, her son Terrance Ball. After the judge finalized the adoption papers she took Terry to meet his grandparents in Emporia, KA and then to meet his aunt Francis Fish in Boise, ID. Finally they traveled back to Coeur d'Lene to finally introduce Terry to his father.
Another great joy in the life of Evelyn Ball was her grandchildren. She was there on the day they were born to begin to love them, pray for them and take an active role in teaching them to love Jesus. From the first day of their lives she said that she felt like they were part of her. She was a grandma who baked cookies, sang songs, took walks, played games, could be silly with them, disciplined when necessary and loved them beyond measure.
Evelyn loved beautiful things in nature, gospel music, decorating and flowers. She loved the Church and gave her life to it. Evelyn will be missed her son, daughter in law and grandchildren, and many friends for her faithful and loving spirit.