1948
Janie
2011
Janie Ballew
October 27, 1948 — July 18, 2011
Des Moines, Iowa—Janie Louise Ballew, a native of Carroll County, died July 18 at home in Des Moines, Iowa.
Born October 27, 1942 near Lathrop to Kenneth and Marjorie Grossman, Janie grew up in rural Carroll County in the Tina and Hale communities. She graduated from Hale High School in 1960, where she excelled in music and typing, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Missouri, with Honors. She was a longtime secretary at the Kansas City law firm of Hillix, Brewer, Hoffhaus, and Whittaker, where her talents allowed her to assume additional responsibilities such as coordinating the firm's annual recruiting.
Janie had an exceptionally keen intellect and an unusually inquisitive mind. She was widely read and continued throughout her life to educate herself on a wide breadth of subjects ranging from music, art, and literature of many genres to philosophy and quantum physics. She was an extraordinarily intelligent woman and always interesting in her conversation. She also enjoyed piano playing, singing, home decorating with her own singular flair, antiques, and working in her garden; and she wrote poetry and music and had begun work on a historical novel. She had a particular fondness for all holidays.
Janie's most defining characteristic, though, may have been her great and tender heart. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, unfailing in remembering birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions, and she was particularly kind to any who were in trouble or suffering. She was a steadfast and true friend to those who needed her help.
Janie is survived by her sons Jeff Ballew of Orem, Utah and Chris Ballew of Roland, Iowa; seven grandchildren and a great-grandson; sisters Judy Skaggs of Kansas City and Jan Haffey of Columbia; brother David Grossman of Chillicothe; and many nephews and nieces and their children.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Heritage Funeral Home in Chillicothe. Services will be Friday, July 29 at 1:00 p.m.
Burial will be at Wharton Cemetery, Bosworth, MO.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until time of service.
Born October 27, 1942 near Lathrop to Kenneth and Marjorie Grossman, Janie grew up in rural Carroll County in the Tina and Hale communities. She graduated from Hale High School in 1960, where she excelled in music and typing, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Missouri, with Honors. She was a longtime secretary at the Kansas City law firm of Hillix, Brewer, Hoffhaus, and Whittaker, where her talents allowed her to assume additional responsibilities such as coordinating the firm's annual recruiting.
Janie had an exceptionally keen intellect and an unusually inquisitive mind. She was widely read and continued throughout her life to educate herself on a wide breadth of subjects ranging from music, art, and literature of many genres to philosophy and quantum physics. She was an extraordinarily intelligent woman and always interesting in her conversation. She also enjoyed piano playing, singing, home decorating with her own singular flair, antiques, and working in her garden; and she wrote poetry and music and had begun work on a historical novel. She had a particular fondness for all holidays.
Janie's most defining characteristic, though, may have been her great and tender heart. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, unfailing in remembering birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions, and she was particularly kind to any who were in trouble or suffering. She was a steadfast and true friend to those who needed her help.
Janie is survived by her sons Jeff Ballew of Orem, Utah and Chris Ballew of Roland, Iowa; seven grandchildren and a great-grandson; sisters Judy Skaggs of Kansas City and Jan Haffey of Columbia; brother David Grossman of Chillicothe; and many nephews and nieces and their children.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Heritage Funeral Home in Chillicothe. Services will be Friday, July 29 at 1:00 p.m.
Burial will be at Wharton Cemetery, Bosworth, MO.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until time of service.
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