Deborah Kay (Bartholomew) Ballantyne went home to be with her heavenly Father on Monday, October 2, 2023 after a yearlong battle with cancer.
Deb was born October 31, 1949, in Buffalo Center, IA to Alvin and Roseanne (Herzog) Bartholomew. Deb was united in marriage to her best friend and soul mate, Bob Ballantyne for 56 wonderful years. Deb is the mother of Lori Williams, Jennifer (Troy) Smith and Julie (Troy) Marlow.
Deb grew up in Mason City, moved to Des Moines in 5th grade, but 5 years later moved back to Mason City and graduated from Mason City High School in 1968. After marrying Bob, they moved to several different states during Bob’s time in the service but settled in Mason City to raise their family.
After her girls were all in school, Deb started working at Tupperware. She then went on to work at Holy Family School. Deb retired from Newman Catholic as the high school secretary after 34 years. She will always be remembered as being the first smile people saw when they entered the Newman office. She was an active volunteer at Mercy Hospital for almost 50 years. Deb was also very involved in Catholic Daughters of the Americas and her church, Epiphany Parish. Her faith and belief in helping others has always been very strong and in the forefront of her life.
In addition to her husband and daughters, she is also survived by her loving grandchildren; Brandon (Candace) Williams, Zach (Kristin) Marlow, Kyler Smith, Haley (Gabe) Williams, Colin (Cheyenne) Smith, Rylie (Evan) Smith, Trinity Marlow, Grant Smith, and great-grandchildren; Shayne and Abby Groesbeck, Dru Williams and Josie Kern. Her siblings Craig (Karen) Bartholomew, Wanda Hodak, Terry (Theresa) Bartholomew, Jeff (Cassie) Bartholomew and Paul (Pam) Bartholomew. Bob’s siblings, Ron (Dawn) Ballantyne, and Rick (Jody) Ballantyne; as well as many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.
Deb was proceeded in death by her parents, Alvin and Roseanne Bartholomew, her in-laws Dick and Ethel Ballantyne and her grandson Tristan Marlow.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas will pray the Rosary at 4:30 and visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A Scriptural Wake service follows at 7:00 pm.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am Friday, October 6, 2023 at Epiphany Parish – Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 N. Adams. Ave., Mason City with Rev. Neil Manternach as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Mass will be livestreamed through Epiphany Parish at epiphanyparish.org.
Should friends desire, memorials may be left in Deb’s honor to Newman Catholic Schools, Epiphany Parish, or Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
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