Holly Rae Ballenger

Holly Rae Ballenger, age 88, of Plover, WI, died peacefully Tuesday Evening, February 14 ^th , 2023, at Willow Brooke Assisted Living, in Stevens Point, WI.  She was born on Christmas Day, December 25 ^th , 1934, in Milwaukee, the daughter of late Roland and Alice (Mueller) Kores.  She married James Ballenger on May 25, 1953.  They enjoyed 64 years together before he passed away August 7, 2017.

Before James' retirement from the City of Milwaukee Police Department in 1989, Holly was employed as a Crossing Guard for the City of Milwaukee School District, along with other various jobs over the years.   While living in Milwaukee, Holly enjoyed yearly family camping trips to Franklin Lake in Eagle River with her sister Barb's family.  Holly, James and their boys also spent many fun weekends at their trailer vacation home in the woods outside Oxford, WI.  Holly has always loved dogs, and their black lab Cinder especially enjoyed tromping through the woods with Russ and Dan on those weekends away.

I n 1990, James and Holly moved to Plover, WI to enjoy a quieter life away from the big city.  They learned to play golf and were avid cribbage players.  They went on many Lamers Bus Trips and started spending at least a month in Florida each winter and enjoyed other trips with friends to various locals.

In Plover, Holly volunteered at many places, such as helping students in reading at McDill Grade school, at the hospital and Klasinski Clinic, and doing office work at St. Michael's Hospice.  In 2021, Holly received a Service Award from the Governor for 21 Years of Volunteer Service.  When their neighbor Aaron got a puppy (Lexie), Holly and James became "surrogate grandparents", the same as Holly did years later with his second puppy, Gemma.

Survivors include two sons, Russ (Terri) Ballenger of Stevens Point and Dan (Dawn) Ballenger of Muskego, five grandchildren: Jodi (Chris) Pagels, Craig Staples (deceased), Jake (Jenny) Staples, Rich (Jes) Ballenger, and Katie (John) Phillips.  Five great grandchildren: Kayla Staples, along with Tyler, Logan, Owen and Sydney Pagels.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Pisarski Community Funeral Home at 2911 Plover Road, Plover, WI 54467.   Pastor Joyce Heintz will officiate.

Visitation will start at 9:30 am, with the service at 11:00 am.   Lunch will be served at 12:30 at the Sky Club Restaurant, located at 2202 Post Rd., Plover, WI 54467.   Suggested memorials are to either Portage County Animal Shelter or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com .