Alma June Ballhagen

Alma June Ballhagen, 98, formerly of New Hartford and Cedar Falls, passed away at the Elkader Care Center on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.  She was born January 6, 1926, in Steamboat Rock, daughter of Jay and Bena (Stickfort) de Neui.  Alma attended Clay #1 Country School then worked as a Nurse's Aide at Sartori Hospital for 10 years.  Alma was saved on February 4, 1943, at the age of 17 while reading a tract in her bedroom.  She felt lost and that there was no hope for her and decided it was now or never to get it settled.  Alma came to the verse John 3:16 and for the first time saw that "whosoever" referred to her!  She married Elmer Leo Ballhagen on June 10, 1955, in Cedar Falls.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 56 years, Elmer; sister, Pauline (Richard) Van Mill; and brother-in-law, Don Decker.  She is survived by her sons, David of Bradenton, Florida and Wesley (Sherri) Ballhagen of Shell Rock; daughter, Mary (Gary) Dempster of Elkader; grandchildren: Loren (Becky) Dempster, Brad (Jeannie) Dempster, Laura (Anthony) Elliott, Journey Ballhagen, Jacee (Kyle) Frost and Jamison (Emily)Orth and Justice Ballhagen; 24 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Lenora Decker and Joan (Duane) Wessels both of Waterloo.

Alma's Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Friday, July 26, 2024, with an hour of Visitation prior at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home of Cedar Falls.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery of New Hartford.  Memorials may be directed to the Family for future designation and condolences left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com .

Alma grew up on a farm and was a hard worker who enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking and baking when she was younger.  Alma made friends easily and was intentional about visiting friends in care centers to talk about the Gospel. In her later years she liked to do embroidery, coloring and word searches.