Mary Catherine (Dessloch) Ball, 80, of Sheboygan Falls passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls. Mary won her battle against congestive heart failure on this day. She won not by surviving the fatal disease, but by facing it with courage, grace, and love until her last moments, spent surrounded by the love of friends and family. She won by spreading a lifetime of love and kindness that will multiply throughout this world and will long outlive her.
Mary was born September 14, 1943, in Plymouth, WI. She was the daughter of Edgar and Dorothy Dessloch. She attended Plymouth schools and then graduated in 1965 from Marian College with a BA in Elementary Education. After graduation she taught second grade for the Sheboygan Falls School District, and later worked for the Sheboygan School District. On August 11, 1973, she married Neil Ball at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth, WI.
Mary enjoyed giving back to her church and community by volunteering at Bridgeway House, school PTA, as a Sunday school teacher, working for 30 years with the Emmaus Meal Program for the hungry, and at Pine Haven Christian Home where she called bingo.
One of her joys was to cook and bake (known for her desserts and cookies). She also greatly enjoyed gardening, needlepoint, reading and playing may card and board games with family and friends. She especially treasured her time spent with Dick and Sheryl Jarosch playing games and travelling. But her most favorite times were spent with her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends.
In her lifetime, Mary did extensive travelling around the United States and also with visits to Europe, Jamaica, Bahamas, Canada and cruises to Hawaii, Central America, and the Eastern Caribbean.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Donald, grandparents and many other relative and in-laws. She is survived by her husband, Neil; son, Michael; daughter-in-law, Lavinia; daughter, Jennifer; son-in-law, Dan; grandchildren, Maya, Eve, Marek, and Clara; brother, Daniel; sister-in-law, Joan; brother-in-law, Don; nephews Jeff and Todd; and niece, Linda. Mary’s best friend and love of her life is her husband, Neil. Together they were one.
Mary wanted to share these thoughts with her family and all who knew her:
“Fill not your heart with pain and sorrow but remember me in every tomorrow. Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles.” – Joey Beighley
A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be celebrated on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1439 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan with Fr. Paul Fliss officiating. Family and friends may gather at the church on Saturday morning from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice or if you are an animal lover to ASPCA in Mary’s name.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their care of Mary.
Date: Saturday Nov 18, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: St. Peter Claver Catholic Church [map]
Date: Saturday Nov 18, 2023
Time: 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: St. Peter Claver Catholic Church [map]