Carole Ann Ballard

The oldest child of Sidney and Lois (MacHaffie) Hildreth, Carole was born in Des Moines on July 9, 1931. A lifelong resident of Ankeny, Carole graduated from Ankeny High School and AIB.

Carole married the love of her life, Cecil Dwight “Tike” Ballard on August 31, 1949. Tike and Carole owned and operated Ballard’s 66 for 33 years until their retirement in 1993. They enjoyed traveling, especially to their son's, Kirk, motorcycling racing events where they were his ‘pit crew’. Their many memorable trips included Alaska, Florida, Arizona, Germany, Hawaii and snowmobiling in Yellowstone Park.

Carole spent more than 80 summers at their family cabins at Lake Washburn near Outing, Minnesota where her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren enjoyed many summers with their Nanny and Papa.

Carole loved to play cards, Scrabble, go out to eat with friends and family, support her children and grandchildren by attending all of their school extra-curricular activities. She was an avid reader, a “sports enthusiast” and enjoyed watching college and pro football and basketball games. Carole remained active in her Town and Country Club with her friends for 60 years.

Carole was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Lois Hildreth, and brother-in-law, Eddie Carr. Carole is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Tike Ballard; children, Julie (Bob) Shelquist, Diane (Keith) Petterson, Kirk (Nancy Tutor) Ballard; grandchildren, Katy (Justin) Loutsch, Lindsay (Ken) Norland, Courtney (Kiel) Huston, Ryan (Tasha) Petterson, Meredith (Reed) Weston, Sarah Rose Ballard; great-grandchildren, Kallie and Jack Loutsch, Riley and Cameron Norland, Harper and Quinn Huston, Brody and Jace Weston; brother Keith (Fran) Hildreth; sisters, Susan (Merle) Johnson, Nancy Carr, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Carole’s life will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, February 26, at Ankeny First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday at Ankeny Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Head for the Cure Foundation, (Brain Cancer Research).