Ruth Kathryn (O’Marro) Ball, 86

Published 9:40 am Thursday, February 10, 2011

Ruth Kathryn (O’Marro) Ball, 86, of Austin, died Sunday, Feb. 6, at Sacred Heart Care Center where she was a resident.

Ruth Ball

Ruth was born March 2, 1924, in Austin to Martin and Esther (Beckel) O’Marro. On Dec. 30, 1943, she was united in marriage to Ralph S. Ball at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin. He preceded her in death on July 23, 1975. Ruth was a lifelong member of Queen of Angels.

Ruth was the beloved matriarch of the Ball family and the glue that held them together — whether it was the fun family events, the busy schedules of her children or dealing with the devastation that cystic fibrosis brings to a family. Ruth taught her children and others close to her, how to be strong and live with the many ups and downs of life. Ruth had a strong set of values and ethics, a strong relationship with God and her church, and she lived her life accordingly. Ruth dearly loved her family. She loved all sports, and especially getting on the refs. Ruth loved the eastside “Dutch Town” and was proud to have been born and raised there and she lived her whole life there. Ruth had a big heart and an open door at her home for anyone who needed help or just a listening ear. She will be sorely missed by her family and all who knew her.

Survivors include her children, Terry Ball of Fountain City, Wis., Tom (Susan) Ball of Loveland, Colo., Tim (Patty) Ball of Austin, Dan (Debra) Ball of Austin, Doug (Karen) Ball of Austin, Tracy (Jim) Marsolek of Stewartville; 20 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lorraine McFarland of Milwaukee, Patricia Heiny of Austin.

In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by two daughters, Sharon and Ann; and a son, David.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper and Deacon John Kluczny officiating. There will be a 7 p.m. wake service on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 8011 34th Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55425.