Joseph Ballensiefer

Joseph William Ballensiefer, a long time resident of the Wiota area, passed away August 2, 2006 at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 88 years.Joseph was born the son of William and Mary Minnie (Burke) Ballensiefer on October 14, 1917 in Wiota, Iowa.He attended school in Wiota and graduated in 1936. He joined the Knights of Columbus in 1938. On June 5, 1943, he was married to Josephine Ann Richter at St. John's Catholic Church in Adair, Iowa. Joseph lived all his life on the family farm north of Wiota on County K where he raised Hamp hogs and Hereford cattle. He is survived by his wife, Josephine; a daughter, Mary Lee and husband, Mike of Wiota and a granddaughter, Manda Thomas and husband, Chad of Wiota.Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary; a son, James William in infancy; a grandson, Matthew Tanner in infancy; a sister, Marjorie Waters, and two brothers, Paul and William in infancy.Services for Joseph will be held at the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Friday, August 4 at 10:00 A.M. A 6:00P.M. Rosary Service will be held Thursday evening with a 6:30 to 8:30 visitation following at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Interment will be in the Atlantic Catholic Cemetery.Funeral InformationIN LOVING MEMORY OFJOSEPH WILLIAM BALLENSIEFERBorn October 14, 1917 ~ Wiota, IAENTERED INTO RESTAugust 2, 2006 ~ Age 88 years, 9 months, 18 daysFUNERAL SERVICEFriday, August 4, 2006 ~ 10:00 AMSS Peter & Paul Catholic Church ~ Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGFather Dan Seipker ~ SS Peter & Paul Catholic ChurchMUSICAL SELECTIONSAnthemThis is the DayMy Wild Irish RoseHere I Am LordCeltic FarewellOn Eagle"s WingsBy the Church ChoirORGANISTRhonda FagerBEARERS Bob Power Jeff Richter Chad Thomas J.R. Richter Joe Mailander Darrin PlowmanHONORARY BEARERS Pat Richter Tim Richter Dan WintherFollowing the memorial service, Joseph's family will joinfriends for a luncheon at the SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church.