Mrs. Joy M. Ballou

Joy M. Kroeger Ballou age 95 years Preceded in death by beloved husband Willard W. Ballou Daughter Diane White Son in law Wayne Peterson Sister Ruth McMorris (Lester) Brothers Earl Kroeger (Sally) Fred Kroeger (Bernice) Survived by children Donna and Ron Nichols Linda and Lee Cooper Royann and Lynn Hedell Susan Peterson 13 Grandchildren 38 Great Grandchildren 2 Great Great Grandchildren Brother Robert Kroeger (Lorraine) Many other family members and friends, especially those at Immanuel Trinity Village Memorials suggested to the Immanuel Trinity Village Memorial Fund Funeral Service Friday, July 8th 2011 at 11:00am at Trinity Lutheran Church Family Life Center 522 West Lincoln Street, Papillion, NE 68046 Luncheon following the funeral service at the church. Visitation Thursday July 7th 3-8:00 with family receiving friends from 6-8:00 at Westlawn Hillcrest Funeral Home Visitation Friday July 8th at Trinity Lutheran Church 10:00-11:00. Interment at Westlawn Hillcrest Memorial Park July 8th at 2:30. There is JOY in Heaven Joy Kroeger Ballou often said she was born in a barn on Christmas day. Technically, her parents had, as was customary, built the barn and were living there while they were building the house on their farm in Avery, Nebraska. Joy grew up on the farm with her older sister Ruth, her older brother Earl and her two younger brothers, Fred and Bob. Joy told of the time that she and Earl rode a horse and buggy to Portal School in Papillion. One day a storm came up and and the horse bolted dumping the buggy into a water-filled ditch. She always credited this accident for her fears of swimming and storms. She also told of the time when when she was three years old. After watching her mother wring the neck of a chicken for dinner, Joy promptly "ding-donged the duckys" herself. Unfortunately, she was wringing the necks of a few newly hatched chicks. She didn't remember what happened next but she said she never was too fond of chicken after that. From Avery, Joy moved with her family to Omaha where her parents opened Kroeger's Grocery Store on 4677 "L" Street. When Joy was sixteen she was introduced to the brother of a high school friend. When he asked her age she said "sweet 16 and never been kissed". He promptly jumped up and kissed her. Thus began a relationship that lasted over 66 years. Willard and Joy lived in Omaha for all of their married lives raising five daughters, Donna, Diane, Linda, Royann and Susan on South 52nd Street. She always joked that she had a "full house" with five queens! The family attended church at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Omaha where all five daughters were married. Joy had a varied employment career working at St. Joe's Hospital, J.C. Penney and retiring from Elanco. But to her, her primary job was as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Joy and Willard traveled extensively each summer to visit family and historic sites throughout the United States. In 1974 they became "snow birds" in Weslaco Texas during the winter months. They enjoyed the warmth of Texas and made many, many lifelong friends. Joy developed her love of shuffle board and bingo while there. In 1997 Willard suffered a stroke and died a few days later. Joy continued to stay in touch with her friends although she stopped traveling to Texas within a few years of his death. In 2000 Joy decided to move to a new retirement community being built in Papillion. She became one of the first residents of Immanuel Trinity Village having apartment 1001. Joy and her precious dog April loved the life at Trinity Village and participated in the Preschool program, volunteered for church service projects, Bingo, and Wii Bowling where she was often the champ. When a visitor wanted a tour, it was Joy's apartment that they toured. Joy was also on the Greeting Committee, the Memorial Fund Committee, the Dining Room Committee and would readily join any committee if asked. She became Queen of the Red Hats and was honored three years ago to be selected Trinity Village Senior Prom Queen for which she wore her crown proudly. Joy was a proud Grandmother to fourteen grandchildren thirty-eight great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, spouses and fiances and corresponded with them by email, phone and Facebook. When she turned 94 she received a camera for her computer and she began daily Skypeing with her children for face to face chats. In 2010 Joy fell while setting up for Bingo and fractured her femur. She battled through surgery and hours of extensive rehabilitation to be able to return to her apartment and live independently again. Her children insisted that she use her walker, which she did, to give her great grandchildren rides, carry her laundry baskets and bingo chips. Joy was a daily follower of the Decorah Eagles and would turn the web site on in the morning and watch them periodically throughout the day providing updates to the residents and staff. She was patiently waiting for them to fledge. On the evening of June 22nd Joy was setting up for the evening's entertainment of Bingo. She tripped on a table leg and joked that she took a long time falling hitting two tables on the way down. Unfortunately in breaking her pelvis she also lacerated her liver which caused internal bleeding. Her condition deteriorated throughout the next week and she died peacefully on Sunday, July 3rd surrounded by her loving family. On the day of her accident the eagles finally flew from their nest....