Rollin F. Ball 1925 - 2025

BALL, THURMAN, SPRAGUE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 2/22/2025 at 01:20:34

Sioux City Journal
25 January 2025

Rollin Ball

January 2, 1925 - January 23, 2025

Rollin F. Ball passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at a local care center. He was 100 years old. A life fully lived, embracing a century of experiences with grace and resilience.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 27, 2025, at Wesley Global Methodist Church with a luncheon to follow. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service. A private family burial will be at Logan Park Cemetery.

Rollin was born on January 2, 1925, in Gorham, KS, the son of David and Minnie (Thurman) Ball. He embarked on a remarkable journey with his beloved wife, Ethyl Mae Sprague. They married on May 10, 1947, and it endured for an incredible 70 years. Until her passing on September 25, 2017, he held her close and cherished every moment they spent together.

Rollin served his country as a veteran of the United States Army during World War II. Following the war, he attended electronic trade school in Kansas City and held various broadcast engineering jobs. After settling in Sioux City, he dedicated his life to his career, working at KCAU TV in Sioux City for an impressive 36 years. He served as a member of the Trustees at Wesley Methodist and helped with the construction of the church. In his free time, Rollin found joy in various activities, including playing the guitar, keyboard, reading, and woodcarving. Rollin was a jack-of-all-trades and could fix almost anything. He cherished spending time with his family, whether it was playing games, hiking in Stone Park, or simply enjoying each other's company. He had a special fondness for playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their events.

Survivors include his children, Karen (David) Martens of Seward, NE, Doug (Ruth) Ball of Sergeant Bluff, IA, and Randee (Shawn) Small of Sioux City; grandchildren, Michael Martens, Amy (Kyle) Royuk, Jennifer Ball, Kristen (Ross) Miller, and Shelby (Brian) Fiedler; great-grandchildren, Alex and Lauren Martens, Micah, Aaron, and Nathan Royuk, and Ryan and Madison Miller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Minnie Ball; wife, Ethyl Ball; infant son, Dennis Craig; and sister, Doris McCabe. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

The family would like to thank the VA for the care provided to Rollin over the years, and most recently St. Croix Hospice.

Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel