Mrs. Ruth Alma Ballon was born July 15, 1888, at Lineville, Iowa, to Louisa (McCollum) and William Dailey. She spent her girlhood at Lineville, later moving with her parents to the Douglas - Syracuse, Nebraska area. Here she was united in marriage to Jay W. Thompson, Sr. Nine children were born to this union. The Thompsons divorced in 1925.

In 1934 she was married to Joseph G. Ballon. She moved with Mr. Ballon to a ranch south of Atkinson, Nebraska, and lived there until 1955 when they retired and made their home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. Ballon died in 1961. Since then, she made her home at Alliance, Nebraska, with her son, Richard Thompson and his family. Throughout her lifetime she was a devoted and wonderful mother to her children. She departed this life September 14, 1972.

From early womanhood she held a constant appreciation for all of nature, community involvement, her family and their edacation. She was eager to be involved with teaching Sunday School, dramatics and school plays, creative writing of prose and poetry, art and fancywork, gardening, raising animals and was an outstanding homemaker. She was a past president of the National Iris Society and was widely known for the beautiful flowers which she raised.

Mrs. Ballon is survived by six children: Mrs. Ruby Warta, Portland, Oregon, Mrs. Frankie McClees, Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. Virgil Thompson, Springfield, Illinois, Mr. John Daryl Thompson, Portland, Oregon, Mrs. Marilyn Skinner, Lincoln, Nebraska and Mr. Richard Thompson, Alliance, Nebraska. She is also survived by three brothers: Mr. Earl Dailey, Smolan, Kansas; Mr. Crawford French, Grand Island, Nebraska; and Mr. Presley French, Central City, Nebraska.

She was preceded death by Mr. Jay W. Thompson, Sr., Mr. Joseph G. Ballon; brothers Rev. W. 0. Dailey, Mr. John Dailey and Mr. Austin Dailey; three children, Keith, Joy and Claudia; and by her sister, Mrs. Ethel French. Other survivors include thirty one grand children, forty great-grand children,and six great-great-grand children.

Services Saturday, September 16, 1972 10:00 A. M. Umberger's 48th and Vine Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska. Internment: Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, Nebraska.