Wanda Lee Arnold Ballinger passed away peacefully and without pain in the night at Wellsville Health and Rehabilitation, Wellsville, Kansas on March 14, 2025. She was a Godly woman, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She touched many lives in very quiet and loving ways. It was the desire of her heart to be faithful to her family, her friends and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived a life rich with purpose, and her deepest desires were fulfilled.
She was born to Tandy Blanton Arnold and Florence Beatrice Howe Arnold December 24, 1937, in DeRidder, Louisiana. She graduated from St. James High School in St. James, Minnesota in 1955. She attended Southwestern College in Winfield, KS where she met her future husband and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education in 1959. She was united in marriage to Billy Gene Ballinger, March 29, 1957, at The United Methodist Church in St. James, MN. They spent two weeks shy of 68 years together in a blessed and loving marriage. Upon graduation, they made their home in St. Peter, MN, where she taught first grade before starting her family. She and her family moved to Ottawa in 1965 where her husband joined the faculty at Ottawa University. She served as a substitute teacher for a few years thereafter at Garfield Elementary School in Ottawa.
Wanda taught Sunday school for many years at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was ordained a Ruling Elder in 1979 and was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Women and a member of the Westminster Chancel Choir for over 50 years. She also played in the Hand Bells Choir. Wanda was a member of Ottawa University Women and a lifetime member of Highland Club. For nearly 35 years, she was an in-home caregiver for her mother, her mother-in-law, and her Aunt, Margie George.
For over 35 years, Wanda and Bill spent the summer at their cabin in the Wild Basin area of the Rocky Mountain National Park, south of Estes Park, CO. They were active in the Allenspark Community Church, singing in the choir, leading a Wednesday night worship service of hymn singing and bible study and the serving of refreshments for a time of sweet fellowship, prayer, praise and worship. She enjoyed watching and feeding the chipmunks and hummingbirds.
Wanda spent the last eight years and five months as a resident at Wellsville Health & Rehabilitation Center, which became her new mission field. She ministered to countless people in her quiet, cheerful, and loving ways even with her own physical limitations.
Wanda was an excellent homemaker and cook. She loved to prepare meals and have family and friends for dinner. For years, she prepared baked goods to share with Sunday school classes and church gatherings. She found great joy, peace and fulfillment in her kitchen and in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She truly enjoyed seeing the beauty of God’s creation. She loved flowers and watering and feeding the birds.
She was preceded in death by her father, Tandy Blanton (Ted) Arnold and her mother, Florence Beatrice Howe Arnold and a brother, Larry Howe Arnold. She is survived by her husband, Billy, three children, Kip C. Ballinger (Lori) of Ottawa, Kansas, Tad A. Ballinger of Kansas City, Kansas and Beth Brecheisen (Randy) of San Antonio, Texas, Four Grandchildren, Tessa D. Ballinger of Lawrence, Brad A. Ballinger of Overland Park, Max A. Brecheisen and Katherine C. Brecheisen of San Antonio TX; Three great grandchildren, Connor Estes of Emporia, Allen Estes of Ottawa, and Michael Estes of Colorado Springs CO, a niece and two nephews.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and unwavering devotion to her family, friends, and Lord. Having fought the good fight, witnessing unselfish love to others, and freed from the frailties of this world, she is absent from the body and present with the Lord.
A visitation with be held at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S Hickory St in Ottawa KS, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Graveside service and interment will follow in Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Hope House, 205 W 17th, Ottawa c/o Dengel and Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.
