Anabel I (Walker) Ballard

Anabel L. Ballard, 78, of Newton died on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center.  A celebration of Anabel’s life will be held at a later date.  

Anabel, the daughter of Harold and Lillian (Parker) Walker, was born on November 20, 1941 in Grinnell. She grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn High School. After high school, Anabel attended Cosmetology School and worked as a beautician.  In 1968, Anabel was united in marriage with Edwin Ballard. They first made their home in rural Jasper County and later in Newton.  Anabel was a homemaker and stay at home mom for her three children.  When the children got older, she worked at both Burger King and Pyramid Plastics. 

Anabel enjoyed knitting and embroidery work, cooking, baking, reading old romance novels, and doing crosswords.  She loved to watch cooking shows and game shows and on Monday nights she could be found watching WWE Raw. Anabel had the hugest heart and it was her nature to take care of everyone around her. 

Anabel is survived by her children, Tina (Scott) Hesse of Newton and Ernest Ballard of Newton; grandchildren, Edwin Dobbs, Shawn Dobbs, Susan (Josh) Jiron, and Andrew (Morgan) Ballard; her great-granddaughter, Zoe; and sister, Jane Maple of Newton.  She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Edwin Ballard; son, Shawn Walker; and siblings, Robert Walker, Melvin Walker, Marjorie Cottrell, and Barb Kalma. 

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