Josephine Ballensiefer

JOSEPHINE ANN BALLENSIEFER

Josephine Ann ('Buck) Ballensiefer, age 91, formerly of Wiota, Iowa, passed away early Sunday morning, August 5, 2012, at the Caring Acres Nursing Home in Anita, Iowa.

Josephine Ann was born on December 21, 1920 in Adair, Iowa, to William Nicholas and Teresa Hannah Hollinrake Richter. She attended country schools in Adair County, high school in Exira, Iowa, including a normal training course to be a teacher. She taught rural schools in Adair, Audubon, and Cass Counties. On June 5, 1943, Josephine was united in marriage to Joseph William Ballensiefer in St. John's Catholic Church in Adair, Iowa. Joseph had farmed north of Wiota all his life so Josephine became a farm wife. She later became a member of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, Iowa.

She is survived by a daughter, Mary Lee and husband Michael of Wiota, Iowa; a granddaughter, Manda Thomas and husband Chad of Ackley, Iowa; and a great-granddaughter, Hannah Jo Thomas of Ackley, Iowa.

Josephine is preceded in death by her parents, William and Teresa; her husband, Joe, in 2006; a son, James William in 1946; a grandson, Matthew Tanner Lee in 1979, both in infancy; her siblings, Fat Richter, Slim Richter, Mary Perry, Mike Richter, Jim Richter, Bob Richter, and Paul Richter. She was the last of her siblings.