Ballantine, Rosa Caruth (1933-2018)

BALLANTINE, CARUTH, COONS, HILL, BARNES, HUBER, KEZAR

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, February 13, 2018

Rose Ballantine, 84, of Story City entered eternal life on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. A service celebrating her life will be Saturday, February 17 at 11 a.m. at Elim Lutheran Church in Randall. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Burial will be at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Jewell.

Rosa was born on September 9, 1933. The sixth child of ten, born to Leonard and Evelyn (Coons) Caruth, on a small farm in Blairsburg, Iowa. The family moved to Ellsworth, where Rosa attended school, played softball, and six on six basketball. While a senior in high school, she met Gene Ballantine, whom she got engaged on the same day as her high school graduation. The couple married on December 30, 1951 in Blairsburg, and in 2013 celebrated 62 years of marriage. After Gene served in the US Air Force, moving to Texas and Ohio, they returned to Iowa. Rosa worked several years at the Ellsworth Co-op Turkey Processing plant, then Hach Company for almost 30 years, while raising their two children, Rick and Jeannie. The couple were members of Elim Lutheran Church since 1964. Rosa and Gene bought a farm outside of Randall, where they farmed and raised turkeys, before moving to Story City. Rosa along with Gene, enjoyed golf, bowling, playing cards, watching ISU sports and travels to Hawaii, the Caribbean and other places throughout the US. Rosa treasured her family and friends. Her best memories were attending grandchildren’s sports activities, weddings, and the visits with her great grandchildren. The highlight of every year for her, was the Christmas season and gathering the family.

Rosa is survived by her son, Rick (Jennifer) Ballantine of Ames; daughter, Jeannie (Pete) Hill of Story City; six grandchildren, Jason (Shea) Hill, Westin Katelyn Barnes, Bret Ballantine, Shayla (Cody) Huber, Alex (Brittany) Hill, and Brittany Ballantine; three great grandchildren, Elsie and Martin Barnes and Ellena Hill; a sister, Donna Kezar of Bradenton, FL and a brother, Gary Caruth of Webster City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene; a sister, and six brothers.

The family expresses their gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staff of Bliss Cancer Center, Mary Greeley Medical Center and Israel Family Hospice House for their loving care and support. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Elim Lutheran Church, Bliss Cancer Center or Israel Family Hospice House.

Soderstrum Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.