Charleen Marie Ball

Charleen Marie (Higgins) Ball was born on March 22, 1929 in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Charles Higgins and Marie (Hillery) Higgins, both of Dubuque. Char was the oldest of 6 children: Janet (Jay) Higgins Phillimore, Charles (Chuck), James (Jim), Thomas (Tom) and John. She was born at home at her maternal Nanny Hillery's house. For the first several years of her life she and her parents lived with her paternal Nanny Higgins. She received lots of attention from her uncles and aunts who lived there, too. Char attended grade school at Nativity and high school at the Academy of the Visitation in Dubuque. After graduation in 1947, at age 18, she started work at the telephone company as an operator. In about 1952 she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Ball at McCauley's Drug Store in Dubuque. Bob was attending Loras College in Dubuque after being discharged from the Marines. On February 27, 1954, at age 24, she married Bob at the Church of the Nativity. Char's brother, John was born 5 days before the wedding. Marie, Char's mom, had to implore the hospital staff to let her be discharged for the wedding. Char and Bob were married for 50 years, until his death at age 77. After the wedding, Char moved to St. Paul, Minnesota where Bob had taken a job at Cities Service. She continued her employment with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, working in the Business Office as a supervisor, a service representative, and a trainer. Char loved her job at the phone company and spent her entire career there. She made many dear friends at work, and some of those friendships lasted until the day she died. In 1955 Char and Bob's first child was born, Michael (Mike). They built a home in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota and moved in when Mike was 2, in 1958. It was there that their three daughters, Catherine (Cathy/Cassie) 1960, Sarah 1962, and Jessica (Jessie) 1965 were born. She and Bob made many improvements and additions to their home as their family expanded. It was a wonderful neighborhood and they had many friends among the neighbors. It was important to Char to stay close to her parents and siblings. She, Bob, and their kids took countless car trips down to Dubuque when the kids were growing up, and they all loved their visits there.Char loved to play cards and belonged to several Bridge clubs for many years. One was a couples club, and the other all women. Since Char was born in Dubuque, her love of playing cards was a part of her! It seemed there was never a get together in Dubuque that wouldn't include a card game of some sort. As time went on Char and Bob began to take winter vacations, first to California on a golfing trip, and then for several years to Cancun, Mexico. They looked forward to these trips and really enjoyed them. Eventually, when her sister Jay and brother-in-law Bud began renting in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, Char and Bob began vacationing there. They had a wonderful time with Jay and Bud enjoying the warm weather and good company. Of course, they played cards! Char and Bob's children eventually married, and then the grandchildren began arriving. First, Alyssa, then Matthew (Matt), Amy, David, Madeline (Maddie), Kathleen (Katie) and Margaret (Maggie). Char absolutely loved being a grandmother. She was generous with her heart and her time. She and Bob were very involved with their grandkids, going to games, concerts, shows, and school events. She celebrated their successes, was uplifted when they were happy, and was heartbroken when they were hurt or sad. She was a positive force in their lives. When Char and Bob retired they began golfing more. She would eventually join 2 different leagues and made new friends. After a round of golf, they would all go to the clubhouse and eat popcorn and talk. Since her nose always ran, she would bring 9 tissues with her, one for every hole. Char golfed until she was 90 years old, quite an accomplishment! They also began traveling more, to places like San Francisco to see Cathy and Rick, Willmar, MN to see Jessie, Napa Valley and Sonoma, California, Las Vegas, and Rapid City, South Dakota, among others. Their most exciting trips were to Hawaii and to Italy, both with Cathy and Rick. In 2001, Bob was diagnosed with lung cancer. He stayed in pretty good health until August of 2003, still golfing and walking 18 holes on the course. Char nursed him until his death on December 9, 2003, at age 77. In 2004 Char's first Great-Grandchild was born, Katelyn. Then followed Brantley, Jacob, Jaxon, Emma, James, Maddox, and Addie. To them, Char was always known as "G G", for Great Grandma. Char was someone who every day got up, made her bed, got dressed, and put her makeup on. It didn't matter if she had plans to go somewhere or not, or if she would be seeing anyone that day. She disliked the idea of breakfast in bed or sitting around in her pajamas. She liked simple and stylish clothing, and loved her jeans, which she had in several colors. When there was an occasion to dress up for, she could always be counted on to look classy. After Bob's death Char travelled to Florida every year to stay with Jay and Bud, just like before. She always seemed happy when she was there, spending time with them and her nephew, Bill and his husband, Terry. They would all play card games (of course!), go out to eat, shop, and sightsee. Her favorite restaurant was the Fish House where she would order the shrimp basket. At Super Bowl time, her other siblings would arrive, and they would have a big party. She would put money in the football pool and enjoy the excitement and the company. The Minnesota Twins and the Vikings were her favorite teams, and she was a huge fan. If the Twins or Vikings were on TV, she would have the game on and excitedly call one of her kids to share a big play or final score. Sometimes, they would stay on the phone and watch the game "together"! In 2010, at the age of 81, Char flew by herself to Ireland to celebrate with her daughter, Cathy and son-in-law, Rick for Cathy's 50th birthday. She even hung upside down to kiss the Blarney Stone and drank Guinness in a pub! Char also went on an Alaskan cruise with daughters Jessie and Cathy, and Cathy's husband, Rick. Although she was prone to motion sickness, she felt fine and had a great time. In 2013 Char had a heart attack at age 84. She recovered well and a few weeks later went on vacation with Sarah and her family to a cabin in Wisconsin. She was amazing. Char and her friends signed up for senior classes at the College of St.Thomas in St. Paul. They would meet for lunch and look at the class list and vote on what class to take that session. It could be anything from music, social issues, government, etc.. Then, once a week they would meet somewhere and drive down together. Class always included lunch, sometimes before, sometimes after, depending on the time. The last few years they would eat at the St. Thomas cafeteria. Char always said the students were so nice, and would hold the doors for them. Her granddaughter, Maddie, a student at the college told her that the women students thought of the group of older women as role models, still expanding their minds and enjoying themselves. Covid was very difficult for Char, like many older adults. It may have contributed to the eventual dementia diagnosis she received. In December of last year, Char fell and cut open her leg. The doctor visit following that discovered atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. She received wound care for her leg and new medication for her heart. Several more falls led to her declining health and mental state. She fought hard through it all and we could still see her beautiful soul. Char passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 26 at 1:45 P.M. while listening to a music therapist play on the guitar. Her daughters, Sarah and Jessie, and son, Mike were there in the room. Charleen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Ball and brother, James Higgins. She is survived by her son, Michael Ball (Ruth) of Oak Grove and daughters, Catherine Togneri (Rick) of San Francisco, Sarah Larson (Jeffrey) of Shoreview, and Jessica Duininck, of White Bear Lake. Her grandchildren, Alyssa Schoonover, Matthew Ball (Fiorella), Amy Rien (Matthew), David, Kathleen, and Margaret Larson, and Madeline Duininck. Great Grandchildren, Katelyn, Brantley, Emma, and Adeline Rien, Jaxon and Maddox Heustis, and Jacob and James Ball. Char was a gracious, kind, smart, positive person who was an example of how to age gracefully. She loved her family heart and soul and extended that same love to her close friends. She will be dearly missed.

Tributes

Charleen Marie Ball

March 22, 1929 - July 26, 2023

Tributes

Charleen Marie Ball

March 22, 1929 - July 26, 2023

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