Louise Ballmann

Louise Wilhelmina Ballmann passed away peacefully on January 5, 2024. On May 31, 1925, Louise, the youngest of five children, was born in Giddings, Texas to Herman and Anna Mickan. Her older siblings were Hattie Parish, Alma Shaefer, Edwin Mickan and Gertrude Truede. Both of her parents were Wendish-German immigrants and early members of St. Paul Lutheran in Serbin, Texas. Louise’s first language was German and she didn’t learn English until she began school. When Louise was ten, her family moved from Giddings, to Navasota, Texas. Louise recounts that although she grew up during The Great Depression with limited resources, her childhood was a happy one. In 1942, at the age of 16, Louise graduated from Navasota High School. She met the love of her life after her brother Ed brought home a friend, Wesley Ballmann, from Texas A&M and introduced him to her. Wesley and Louise married August 11, 1945 and fifty-nine happy years together, until Wesley’s passing on February 11, 2005.

While she was engaged to be married, Louise attended college at St. John’s Lutheran for one term. She later worked as a clerk for the draft board in Grimes County before and after marriage and continued there until Wesley was discharged in 1946 from the Army Air Corp. Louise continued to be active in her community. She served as president of the PTA at Zion Lutheran School in Fort Worth, held office for Concerned Women of America, served in the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League,) was an active member of the Republican Party, and served as president of the Walnut Creek Residence Council.

Louise and Wesley raised four children together, Dan, Kay, Ray and Jan. She often said that her children were her pride and joy and she treasured the blessing of dedicating her time and energy to their upbringing. Later, her love and attention extended to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Both Louise and Wesley were faithfully dedicated to the upbringing and training of their children in the Christian faith. Attending church and having daily family devotions was an important part of their lives. Her children and grandchildren treasured her and truly do, “rise up and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31.28). Her love for her Lord and Savior was evident in her life as she lovingly served her husband, children and community. Louise was an avid prayer warrior and she spent many hours in prayer for her friends and family. She never missed an opportunity to comfort and share her faith with those around her. Scripture and hymn memorization was important to her as well, something which she said was a comfort and refuge for her throughout her life.

Amongst many other hobbies, Louise enjoyed spending time with family, sewing, gardening and playing
dominos. She loved to travel and told stories about the many happy memories she had vacationing with her husband, in particularly at their vacation home in Red River, New Mexico. Louise had a sharp mind and excellent memory and could relay countless stories, in detail, from all seasons of her life.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, her four siblings, her husband and granddaughter. Louise is survived by her four children and their spouses, Dan and (Celeste) Ballmann, Kay and (Stan) Seat, Ray and (Cindy) Ballmann, and Jan and (Jim) Schlachter, fifteen grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren, and one on the way.

Funeral Services will be held on January 20th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home in Cleburne, Texas. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Cleburne, Texas. Visitation will be5-7:00 P.M., Friday, January 19, 2024 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations and memorials would be welcomed and can be directed to Voice of the Martyr’s, Samaritan’s Purse, or to World Missions or Seminary of the Association Free Lutheran Congregations in Plymouth, MN.