Shirley A. Ballard

November 24, 1941 - July 23, 2017

Shirley A. Ballard, daughter of Wilbur and Mary (Hall) Conkel was born November 12, 1941 in Ankeny, Iowa. She is a graduate of Ankeny High School and the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Shirley was a detective for the Polk County Sheriff Office, a communications operator with Ankeny Police Department and retired as an Investigator with the Polk County Attorney’s Office. She was a founding member of the Rape Crisis Team (Victim Services) and served on the board for ASFME Union for a few years. Shirley enjoyed maintaining her flower gardens and keeping up five sets of family history books. For years she met monthly with friends and family to quilt and craft. Survivors in her husband, Dennis L. Ballard, daughter Melissa (Dave) Jones, stepchildren Darin (Susan) Ballard, Jerrine (Joe) Lenaghan, Mary Ballard, Donald (Amy) Ballard and Jennifer Ballard; Grandchildren Blair, Jenna and Cole Jones; John Ballard and Mary Grace Reynolds; Matt and Jason Lenaghan; Tim and Andrew Ballard; Ellen and Nick Ballard; Jackson Naset; seven great grandchildren; brother Sid (Barb) Conkel; sister Sue (Dennis) Nelson. Brother-in laws Clifford Ballard, Leonard (Sheryl) Ballard, sister-in laws Margie Burgess, Betty (Ken) Danley, Phyllis (Mike) Hastie, Connie Ballard, Karen Ballard. Many special nephews, nieces and cousins. Preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Mary Conkel and son Devlin Reynolds. Memorial contributions can be made to Taylor House. NOTE DATE OF FUNERAL: A Celebration of Shirley's Life will be 4pm-7pm, Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the Vittoria Lodge, 7200 NW 2nd Ave., Ankeny, Iowa.