Mary Lou Henderson, age 84 of rural Centerville, Iowa passed away Saturday, September 3, 2022.
She was born March 16, 1938 south of Greentop, Missouri, the daughter of Charles and Josephine (Wesson) Ballanger. Mary was blessed with six children, Ernest Jr., Mary Louise, Dennis, Teresa, Mike, and Mark.
Perseverance defined Mary’s life as she raised six children on her own. Never shying away from hard work, Mary loved farming throughout her lifetime, including a dairy farm operation. It should also be noted that she was employed with Toast Master in Centerville for a period of time. Moreover, Mary owned and operated the Livonia Bar in Livonia, Missouri during the 1990s.
Mary’s active lifestyle coincided with her farm living. She simply enjoyed being outdoors engaging in hobbies such as gardening, canning, fishing, hunting, and shooting guns. Mary also had an affinity for cooking and quilt making.
Left to honor her memory include her five children, Ernest Henderson Jr. of Centerville, Iowa, Dennis Henderson (Mary Warrnick) of Allerton, Iowa, Teresa (Bub) Walker of Queen City, Missouri, Mike (Tanya) Henderson of Centerville, Iowa, and Mark (Heidi) Henderson of Queen City, Missouri; sixteen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; as well as two siblings, Donald (Louise) Ballanger of Davenport, Iowa and Ronnie (Susanne) Ballanger of Centerville, Iowa.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Josephine Ballanger; a daughter, Mary Louise “Sissy” Abbott; three siblings, Patty Ballanger, Dale (Shirley) Ballanger, and Clifford Ballanger; as well as a great grandson, Jaden Macomber.
Graveside services will be held at 10 AM, Friday, September 9, 2022 at the Exline Cemetery in Exline, Iowa with Pastor Sonny Smyser officiating. A memorial has been established to Mike Henderson, to be determined at a later date, and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, 1900 S. 18th St, Centerville, IA, 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
