Eliza Lois (Ballard) Wier (1858-1940)

BALLARD, WIER, SHEFFIELD, CHALFANT, WILSON, MAUL, YARGER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/4/2024 at 18:51:48

From Story City Herald February 1, 1940 (page 4)

Mrs. Eliza Wier Was Born Near Story City in 1858

Had Passed All Her Years, Numbering Over Four Score, in the Story City neighborhood--Funeral Was Held Last Thursday.

Funeral services for Mrs. Eliza Lois Ballard were held last Thursday afternoon, the prayer service at the home of her only son, Charles, and the regular rites at the Grace Evangelical church, of which she had been a member for forty years.

Rev. Bergeman conducted the services. Mrs. Ruth Fuller-Donhowe sang three selections--Will There Be Any Stars, The Old Rugged Cross and Somewhere--with Vernon Anderson accompanying on the organ. The pallbearers were: John H. Johnson, Martin Jensen, Serral Munsen, Stanton James, Pete Peterson and Paul A. Olson.

Among those from a distance at the funeral were: Wm. H. Wier of Swan, Ia.; L. M. Yarger and George Ballard of Lake Crystal, Minn.; Mrs. Ernest Carey and daughter of Ames; Mr. and Mrs. Milo Hausner of Knoxville; Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Myhre and Elwyn of Roland; Mrs. F. S. Sheffield; Mr. and Mrs. Matson and three children of Ames; Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Boyes of Nevada.

All the children were present. Interment was made in Fairview cemetery, the body being laid between the graves of her husband, Chas. W. Wier, and son Clifton.

Obituary

Rev. Bergeman read the following obituary at the funeral.

Eliza Lois Ballard, daughter of R. W. and Lois Ballard, was born in Story county, Iowa, on the 27th day of May, 1858. It was in this county where she grew to woman-hood; established her home with her husband; reared her family, and spent all of her life. At the age of 82 years, 8 months and 22 days, she passed on to her eternal reward at the home of daughter, Mrs. W. B. Maul, at Denver, Colo., on Monday, Jan. 22, 1940. Thus she had finished her course and entered into rest from toil and labor.

After having grown to womanhood she was married to Charles Francis Wier on Feb. 22, 1875. They established their home in the country a short distance out from Story City and it was their privilege to share joys and sorrow, as husband and wife, for a period of nearly 49 years. Being among the pioneers of the county they naturally met with varied experiences. To them seven children were given, of whom an infant daughter, Lottie, and a son, Clifton Alvin, preceded the mother in death. Her husband died 16 years ago, on January 26, 1924.

She was a member of Grace Evangelical church of Story City for forty years and as long as her physical powers permitted she was also an active member of the Ladies Aid Society and the Mothers Sunday school class. Because of her weakened condition she was unable to attend the church services in recent years and therefore could not be active in church work.

She is survived by five children who are: Mrs. M. S. Sheffield of Ames, Mrs. H. G. Chalfant of Nevada, Mrs. Grace Wilson and Chas. W. Wier of Story City, and Mrs. Isadore Maul of Denver, Colorado. Also by five brothers and one sister as follows: R. N. Ballard of Lake Crystal, Minn., Anson Ballard of Story City, Fred Ballard of Afton, Kester Ballard of the state of Arizona, and Floyd Ballard of Des Moines, and Mrs. Minnie Yarger of Story City; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren, besides other relatives and a host of friends.