Marcella “Sally” Ballheimer
Marcella “Sally” Ballheimer, 87, passed away peacefully with her beloved husband,
Robert/Bob at her side on August 14, 2020. Sally and Bob’s marriage of 67 years was
filled with much love and joy for their family, children Ken (Maureen), Cindy (Bruce)
Wismann, Dennis (Pam), Jeff (Linda) and sister Bert (Leonard) Tamborski. She is
preceded in death by parents Phillip and Anna Kreitler, brothers and sisters: Adrian,
Russell (Katherine), Joseph, James (Ruby/Nora), Duke (Bernice), Dorothy (Vernon)
Wallace, Willard, Lucky (Vernon) Rudolph, Austin, Mary Ann (Dwayne) Wafe, Carl,
dear grandson Brian Ballheimer and great-grandson Owen Lee Ballheimer.
The power of love…mom had that power…the love mom had within her had no
boundaries. She loved her husband with all her heart. He was her rock and he gave his
love to her unconditionally. Mom adored and supported all four of her children and
their spouses. She was involved in our lives as much as she could be and her heart grew
with each grandchild. Mom loved to be generous to her 17 grandchildren and 26 great-
grandchildren. She never missed a birthday and loved giving each great-grandchild a
two dollar bill – a tradition that began with her grandchildren. She made every wedding
no matter the travel involved. She was at every celebration in her extended family and
was always there to give support.
Mom loved her years of quilting with her 4 precious sisters, shopping for her
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reading her mystery novels and playing card
games. Mom had Christmas packages purchased and wrapped for each great-
grandchild several months before the holiday season began. She had birthday and
anniversary cards signed and sealed at the start of each month, writing down the date in
a corner so she would remember when to put each one in the mail. Mom loved to bake a
variety of breads, pumpkin being the most often requested. She worked side by side
with dad to can pickles, peaches, peppers, and was happy to provide all the sides for the
family fish fries.
Mom was kind and generous to everyone she knew, teaching us the power of love.
Imagine loving your neighbors and friends, mom was that person. She never asked for
anything in return. Her love was enjoyed by everyone. Her last words to dad were, “I
love you.” What a gift! We will carry mom’s love and generosity with us always.
Services. A mass will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 11:00 am at Our Lady
Catholic Church, 1550 St. Mary’s Lane, Festus MO. 63028. Masks are required and
social distancing observed.
The funeral mass will be virtual streamed for anyone unable to join us in person.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ourladyfestus/videos
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqk6az8WaiE_SnbNWkw9kJA
(Please note the underscore “_ “ before SnbNWkw9kJA)
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sally’s memory are requested to The Society of St.
Vincent de Paul of St. Louis, 1310 Papin Street Ste 104, St. Louis, MO 63103 OR to St.
Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
What a lovely lady. So sorry to the family for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I was glad to get to know her. She was a neat person.
She was one of my dearest friends. Even though we hadn’t been together much since they moved to Festus. We were always glad to see each other. For years we went to bingo together and worked at Good Shepherd bingo together. She made us feel so welcome the day we moved across the street in 1976. She appeared on our porch with coffee and a warm coffee cake. She and Bob came to the hospital to sit with me when my husband was dying because my kids hadn’t gotten there yet I loved her dearly and will pray for her forever. I know God has a great spot for her in heaven. I’ll miss knowing she’s at the other end of the phone. I’ll pray for Bob and the rest of the family. Sally was the rock of that family. My love and prayers are with you all.
My brother and I had talked about what fun it would be to show up in Festus at some odd hour to borrow a cup of sugar or a roll of toilet paper. We all lived on Thatcher; all the grown-ups were “aunts and uncles”; we were as welcome at each other’s houses as in our own. When our dads went to work, the family car went with them so if we ran out of something essential, we could walk up to Schnucks or A&P (on opposite corners on West Florissant and Chambers) or we could borrow — which we frequently did!
I can still see, taste, and smell the coffee cakes and nobody ever made a devils food cake with white icing to match Sally’s.
Sally was a hard worker and enjoyed yardwork as much as quilting. I will never forget the day she encountered a wasps’ nest in her back yard and was stung something like 48 times because the wasps got caught in her brush rollers!
Sally was two years younger than my mom but I always felt like she was one of my best friends.
She and Bob adored each other and treasured their time together but they always had time for anyone else.
I am positive that heaven has opened its arms wide and there is one fabulous coffee klatch going on! There’s probably a quilt in the other room. I’m sure that Grandma Kreitler and Mary Ann are working on it already — and I would be disappointed if my mom were not there with them all.
Such fond memories of a great lady. Love and prayers for Uncle Bob, for Kenny and Cindy and Dennis and Jeff. Sorry I never got to meet all your better halves but that seems to be life.
God love you all!
Sending my sincere sympathy. I was glad to know her and quilt together at Blessed Teresa.
Sally was a fabulous mother-in-law, always present and kind, never judgmental. We had a handful of deep, thoughtful conversations together – just the two of us – that I will always treasure. When my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Sally and Bob stepped up to be even more engaged with our family and our collective lives. She was the best back up mom you could ask for. I’m grateful that she was able to be at my children’s college graduation and all of their weddings. She got to know our in-laws and great-grandchildren and was truly a model for the inclusion of blended families. She never made a distinction to which I am very grateful. I am blessed to have had Sally in my life.
Sadly I just learned of Aunt Sally’s passing as Lorie told me of Gary’s passing. The last time I saw Aunt Sally was at Lindsey’s wedding. She lioked great as did Aunt Bert. A great memory for sure. My sympathy to all of you as this was probably a very hard Christmas. Love, Linda
My husband Doug and I send our condolences to Sally’s family and friends. Bob and Sally are my Dad’s (the late Gary Rudolph) uncle and aunt. They were kind enough to attend our wedding 10 years ago. We’re so sorry to hear of her passing.
All our love,
Lindsay and Doug