May 23, 1930 – Friday, August 19, 2011
Service Information
Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, MN
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
4 PM
Visitation Information
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, MN
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
2:00 until 4:00 PM
Marry “Juanita” Ball (Stark), age 81 of Rockford, MN. Juanita passed away on Friday, August 19, 2011, after a dignified and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Juanita was born on May 23, 1930 in Bay, AR to Dora and John Stark. She grew up in the Detroit area and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, MI. She went on to graduate from what is now Eastern Michigan University, then taught junior high and high school math and algebra in Michigan for several years until marrying. After moving to Minnesota, Juanita was an active member of the Rockford community while raising her family, holding various roles on the PTA and as a 4-H Club Leader. Aligned with her interest in education, Juanita was elected to the District 883 School Board, serving from 1971 to 1977. Juanita returned to school in the 1980s to learn computer programming and retired from ITT/The Hartford in 1997. Retirement allowed Juanita time to pursue her favorite hobbies: reading, crossword puzzles, cooking and baking. Juanita was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following her lifelong favorite teams: the Detroit Tigers and University of Michigan basketball and football.
Juanita is preceded in death by infant daughter Mary Elizabeth; parents, Dora and John Stark; brother, Carl Stark; and brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Shirley Stark.
Juanita will be greatly missed by daughters, Samantha Ball Zeman (Fred) of Orono and Meredith Provance of Oakdale, along with many loving friends and extended family.
The family wishes to express a special thank you to the caregivers of Heartland Hospice and Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo.
Memorial service will be on August 24, 2011 at 4:00 pm at the Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, with a gathering of friends and family two hours prior to services.
Memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society.
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo assisted the family with arrangements.
To My Sisters: Sorry for your loss of your mother. I know that she meant the world to the both of you. You are in our hearts and prayers. John & Sarah, Ellie & Ava
Meredith, friends and family, On behalf of the Aramark team at the University of Minnesota, please accept our condolences. We are deeply sorry to hear of your loss.