Wayne Ballhagen

BALLHAGEN, TOWNSEND, ROGERS, ANDERSON, LUCK, DEVRIES, RITTGERS

Posted By: sthompson (email)
Date: 2/28/2011 at 15:38:55

funeral service record:

Wayne W. Ballhagen, 77, New Hartford, Iowa, died on Monday evening, November 4, 1991, at his home of cancer.

Wayne was born on December 3, 1913, in New Hartford, Iowa, the son of Leon T. and Perl F. (Townsend) Ballhagen. He attended the New Hartford School System, graduating from the New Hartford High School in 1932. Following his schooling, he worked as a trucker and drove school bus in the New Hartford area. In 1939, Wayne purchased the Buy-Rite Grocery Store in New Hartford. On August 6, 1939, he was united in marriage to Dorothy L. Rogers at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The couple made their home in New Hartford and Wayne continued to farm and operate the grocery store, and in 1943, the couple moved to their present home and farm. In 1953, Wayne served three terms with the House of Representatives for Iowa. In 1958, he sold the grocery store, and became involved with selling real-estate in the New Hartford area until he retired.

From 1972, until 1983, Wayne & Dorothy spent a lot of time together at their cabin in Wisconsin, and since 1976, the couple have been spending the winter months at their home in Frostproof, Florida. Wayne had many hobbies, but most of all he enjoyed pitching horseshoes, where he won a gold medal in the senior division of the Iowa Games. Wayne was also in several tournaments in Iowa & Florida, and participated in several world tournaments. He also enjoyed shuffle board, woodworking, crafts, gardening, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy L. of New Hartford, his children and their spouses, Marlys & Don Anderson of Waterloo, Jerry & June Ballhagen of New Hartford, Duane & Pat Ballhagen of West Frankfort, Illinois, Gordon (Gordy) & Delores Ballhagen and Beverly & Mike Luck, both of New Hartford, ten grandchildren, one great granddaughter, two brothers, Elmer Ballhagen of New Hartford and Lloyd Ballhagen of Tylertown, Mississippi, one sister, Beulah DeVries of Mountain Home, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Perl in 1952, Leon in 1968, and one sister, Esther Rittgers in 1954.