Janis Ball

    Janis Ball, 59, of Clear Lake, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 at Mason City Mercy Medical Center North Iowa from a cerebral hemorrhage sustained while delivering the Des Moines Register which she had done every morning for the past 13 years.  She had also worked at Fleetguard in Lake Mills for four years and as a cashier at K-Mart for five years.
    A memorial service was held Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Steve Smith officiating. The graveside service was held Monday, Feb. 25, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the Janis Ball Memorial Fund.
    Through organ donation she has the potential to improve the quality of life for many people.
    Janis was born the daughter of Merle and Esther (Denkas) Fish, Aug. 21, 1948 in Charles City, Iowa. She was a 1966 graduate of Rudd, Rockford, Marble Rock High School.  She was married to Clarence Ball of the Bronx, N.Y. for 21 years before his passing in 1997.
    Janis was a kind, gentle, soft spoken woman who enjoyed cooking, talking with family and friends and watching her grandchildren grow up.  Janis was a big fan of “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Rachael Ray” and “Paula Dean.”  She will be deeply missed.
    Survivors include her daughter, Sara Ball, of Clear Lake; daughter, Wendy Smith and her husband, the Rev. Steve, of Lake Mills, Iowa; son, Dennis Ball of Spencer, Iowa; daughter, Debbie Ball of Albert Lea, Minn.; three grandchildren whom she adored, Megan Shahan (17), and Erin Shahan (14) of Lake Mills and Trevor Marquez (6) of Albert Lea; a brother, Dean  Fish and his wife, Jeannette, of Phoenix, Az.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
    She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Ball; parents, Merle and Esther Fish; brother, Dale Fish; and son-in-law, Don Shahan.