ELLA P. BALLARD

Former Houston resident, Ella Ballard, 87, died of natural causes at Providence Extended Care in Anchorage on Jan. 24, 2003.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 1022 S. Cobb St. in Palmer. A public visitation began at 1 p.m., prior to the service. Dean Mandrell officiated. A potluck-style wake at the Road Side Inn in Wasilla was held at 4 p.m. Interment will be at Valley Memorial Park in the spring.

Mrs. Ballard was born March 5, 1915, in Grosvener, Texas.

She moved to Alaska in 1949, living, "everywhere from Homer to Nome and several towns in between," her family said.

She had been employed as a welder and a cook throughout her lifetime. She enjoyed baking, canning and floating the Gulkana River with her husband, Fred.

Her husband, Fred Ballard, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sons Bob Brooks Sr. and Thurman Orin Brooks; daughter and son-in-law Jewel and Joe Goodrich; grandchildren Bobby Brooks Jr., Thomas Brooks, Gerald Goodrich, Geanette Van Bueren, Linette Poquette, Suzette Kyler; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.