Greta Neola (Ballard) Newberry, 20 Feb 1923 - 22 Oct 2025

NEWBERRY, BALLARD, GEIGER, RICKELS, WICHMAN, BUTLER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 10/29/2025 at 15:47:59

Greta Neola Newberry, 102, passed away October 22, 2025, at the English Valleys Care Center, North English. She was the youngest of 7 children born to William D. And Della Iola (Geiger) Ballard. Greta graduated from Millersburg High School Class 1940.

She married Gerald W. Newberry on December 20, 1941, in Kirksville, Missouri, ahead of Gerald’s induction into the Army on March 12, 1942. To their union was given 5 children, Loren Newberry and Lynette Rickels, (both deceased), Daryl (Linda) and Karl Newberry of North English, and Eldon (Nancy) Newberry of Grinnell. Greta and Gerald farmed and were life-long residents of Iowa County, Iowa. Greta enjoyed cooking and caring for the garden and flowers, square dancing, playing cards, and watching Iowa basketball games. But, she especially enjoyed their 7 grandchildren Nicki, Rob (Dawn), Holli (Tom), Kori (John), Ryan (Crystal), Travis and Trisha (Aaron) 22 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Breanna, Anthony, Gabrielle, Jacob, Sophie, Trent, Seraph, Levi, Kaleb, Zach, Memphis, Cooper, Elle, Noah, Joel, Seth, Lydia, Isaac, Barret, Smith and Megan and 6 great, great-grandchildren, Carlyn, Gwen Gracelyn, Gideon Maya and Tatum. Also left to cherish Greta's memory is Lynette’s spouse, Dan Rickels of Anamosa.

She was preceded by her husband, Gerald in 2010, her son Loren in 1946, and daughter Lynette in 2021, her parents, and sisters, Delila Iola Wichman and Gladys Butler, and brothers Cecil, Forrest, Dale, and Kenneth Ballard.

Greta was a very strong woman, maintaining an independent life-style until she was 97 years of age, at which time she moved into assisted living in North English. and has spent the last 4 years at the English Valleys Care Center. The family would like to thank all those supporting friends and family that sent her cards during holidays and birthdays. She truly treasured every card and letter received.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 am on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. Burial will follow in the North English Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday, from 9:30 am until service time. A general memorial fund has been established. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Published in The Hometown Current on October 29, 2025, an abbreviated version was published in The Gazette on October 25, 2025.