Carole Ballard

Ankeny, Iowa

Carole Ann Ballard, 83, a cherished and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister passed away on Saturday February 21 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

The oldest child of Sidney and Lois (MacHaffie) Hildreth, Carole was born in Des Moines on July 9, 1931. A lifelong resident of Ankeny, Carole graduated from Ankeny High School and AIB.

Carole married the love of her life, Cecil Dwight "Tike" Ballard on August 31, 1949. Tike and Carole owned and operated Ballard's 66 for 33 years until their retirement in 1993. They enjoyed traveling, especially to their son's, Kirk, motorcycling racing events where they were his 'pit crew'. Their many memorable trips included Alaska, Florida, Arizona, Germany, Hawaii and snowmobiling in Yellowstone Park.

Carole spent more than 80 summers at their family cabins at Lake Washburn near Outing, Minnesota where her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoyed many summers with their Nanny and Papa.

Carole loved to play cards, Scrabble, go out to eat with friends and family, support her children and grandchildren by attending all of their school extra-curricular activities. She was an avid reader, a "sports enthusiast" and enjoyed watching college and pro football and basketball games. Carole remained active in her Town and Country Club with her friends for 60 years.

Carole was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Lois Hildreth, and brother-in-law, Eddie Carr. Carole is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Tike Ballard; children, Julie (Bob) Shelquist, Diane (Keith) Petterson, Kirk (Nancy Tutor) Ballard; grandchildren, Katy (Justin) Loutsch, Lindsay (Ken) Norland, Courtney (Kiel) Huston, Ryan (Tasha) Petterson, Meredith (Reed) Weston, Sarah Rose Ballard; great-grandchildren, Kallie and Jack Loutsch, Riley and Cameron Norland, Harper and Quinn Huston, Brody and Jace Weston; brother Keith (Fran) Hildreth; sisters, Susan (Merle) Johnson, Nancy Carr, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Carole's life will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, February 26, at Ankeny First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday at Ankeny Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Head for the Cure Foundation, (Brain Cancer Research). Online condolences and memories of Carole may be shared on her page at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines Register from Feb. 24 to Feb. 26, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Carole Ballard

37 Entries

Jane (Lawrence) Gaskill

February 18, 2025

I have many good memories of sitting on Carol and Tyke's deck at the cabin and visiting. We could talk for hours. Very special people. I miss those times.

Jane (Lawrence) Gaskill

February 18, 2024

I just read some of the notes from prior years. When I think of Carole, I think of Iowa Camp and the many hours we spent on the deck of her cabin -- just talking about family and anything going on at the lake. Those times are still good memories.

Jane Gaskill

February 18, 2021

It has been years, but I still miss visiting with Carol at the cabin. I would walk down to Iowa Camp to see who was "out and about" and it was always a treat when Carol was sitting on the deck. I have many good memories of our visits. Nancy was frequently a part of the group and between her and Carol, it was aways an uplifting visit. I miss those times.
From Jane (Lawrence) Gaskill
2-18-2021

Debra Steilen

March 4, 2015

Dear Ballard family,
I was so sorry to hear of Carole's passing. I just finished watching the video paying tribute to her life; I'm struck by her beautiful smile and her always-present aura of happiness. I wish all of you peace and beautiful memories.

Cindy Murray

February 28, 2015

Dear Julie,
Please know I am thinking of you and sending you and your family strength. I was so very sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Take care.

Love,
Cindy (Murray, class of '70)

Roxane Fontana

February 27, 2015

Dear Ballard Family~ I am so very sorry to learn of Carole's passing today ! She was always such a nice and classy lady! May she forever live in your hearts of love and minds of wonderful memories! God bless each of you now and the days ahead ~ Rest in Peace Carole ~

February 26, 2015

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I hope you find comfort in John 11 : 25.

Steve Seehorn

February 26, 2015

Julie & Diane, I'm sorry to have learned of your mother's passing. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

February 26, 2015

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May Bible verse Job 33:25
bring your family comfort; When soon our loved ones will be restored to
a youthful vigor.

Steve Mehls

February 26, 2015

Julie, Diane & Kirk,

My thoughts & prayers are with you and you dad with your mother's passing. Your whole family were wonderful neighbors all those years ago.

Jerry and Kim Heston

February 26, 2015

So glad I got to see Carole the other day with Tike at lunch. So many warm memories from our conversations at sporting events over the years. She was always an encouragement. Our deepest heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all the family.

Bill Albaugh

February 26, 2015

Tike & family - thoughts & prayers with you at your time of loss.

Patty Brinkman - Nagi

February 26, 2015

Julie, I am so sorry to hear of your Mother's passing , my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

February 25, 2015

Thinking of you all! Carole was a wonderful lady, always a smile and a kind word. She will be missed by many! You have our prayers and love, Ron & Willa Nichols

Patricia & Steve Yates

February 25, 2015

Our deepest regrets of your Mother's loss. We will keep your family in our prayers. Pat & Steve Yates

Colleen McKenna Johnston

February 25, 2015

My sincere condolences to all the family. I remember Carole as a kind woman who loved her family very much.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

God bless you.

Colleen

Marcia Schmidt (Thayer)

February 25, 2015

Dear Diane, Julie, Tike, and family,
Our sincere sympathy for the loss of Carole. She was a special person! May your memories of her help to comfort you in this time of sorrow!
Sincerely, Keith and Marcia (Thayer) Schmidt

February 25, 2015

Tike, our sympathies go out to you and your family today as we think about the loss of your wife Carole. We are also thinking about sisters Susan and Nancy during this time. We pray for you all. Don & Mary Ann Madole

Terry & Karen Whipple

February 25, 2015

So sorry for your loss. Praying for you all.

Nici and Ed Johnston

February 25, 2015

So sorry to read about your loss, Diane, Julie and the rest of the Ballard family. Our sympathy to each of you in this time. Do celebrate your Mother's wonderful, kind life!

ron sampson

February 25, 2015

Julie and Diane, We had wonderful days growing up in good old Ankeny's northlawn...pretty innocent days playing pool and listening to records in your party central basement. Your mom was always pretty tolerant of us. We were all lucky to have known her.

February 24, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. May your memories bring you comfort in your time of grief.

Jim & Jeanine Barker (Marshall Mn)

Terry & Jon, Walter, Will, Camille West

February 24, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We will miss visiting on the deck with her at the cabin, such a special person.

Tracy Thumann

February 24, 2015

Kirk, Nancy, Tike, Diane, Julie, Sarah Rose & family,
I am so very sorry for your loss! I met Carole only once, but it was clear that she was a special lady. May you find peace and joy in your memories of her through the years.
With love, sympathy & friendship,
Tracy Thumann

Jeff Rasmussen

February 24, 2015

I was so sorry to hear about Carole's passing. She was always the "mom" for those of us that worked at Ballard's 66. Your family will be in my prayers.

Nancy and Greg Throckmorton

February 24, 2015

We are very sorry to hear of Carole's passing. We send our prayers and deepest sympathies out to the entire family.

February 24, 2015

Diane I am so sorry to learn of your mother's passing...our condolences go out to your entire family...May you be comforted by many beautiful memories..Blessings, Mary and Larry Norland

Willie & Arla Stittsworth

February 24, 2015

Tike and family. May happy memories ease the pain in the difficult days ahead. Carole was a super lady and we enjoyed visiting her over the years very much.I have many fond memories of Carole as a Ankeny H.S. classmate many years ago.Thoughts and prayers sent your way during this time of sorrow.God Bless!

Jane & Ron Gaskill

February 24, 2015

We will miss Carole. I have many fond memories of sitting on the deck of their cabin and visiting for hours. She was a special lady.

Linda (Bjork) Rye

February 24, 2015

Diane-I was so sorry to ready that your Mother died. You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers at this sad time.

February 24, 2015

May you be comforted by memories and knowing others care. Sharing in your sorrow at this time.
~Jerry and Janice Spellman

Denny Elwell

February 24, 2015

Many good memories of a wonderful woman!
Denny Elwell & family

Kristina Brighton

February 24, 2015

My thoughts and prayers go out to Diane and Julie and the entire Ballard family. Carole was a great lady and will be sadly missed.

February 24, 2015

My thoughts and prayers are with you. We had many fun times together, many laughs, great memories for me! Carole always had a beautiful smile! She will be greatly missed!

Karen Wiles

Alice/Blackie Hubbard

February 23, 2015

Blackie & I have many fond memories of a couple of the trips mentioned in the obituary. The trip to Alaska was a real adventure and we will never forget the moose attack in Idaho. So many good times with Tike and Carole. Please know we are holding all the Ballard family in our thoughts and prayers.

Joyce Evans

February 23, 2015

I'm so glad I was able to tell Aunt Carole I Loved her when I visited! Very sad times for all the family!!

Linda Lapour

February 23, 2015

My heartfelt sympathy to the entire family. My prayers are with you in this time of sorry.

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