DoraLee Ball

Our beloved butterfly passed away peacefully at home Monday, July 24, 2023. DoraLee (Warner) Ball lived the kind of life that few ever get the chance to live. Born Aril 14, 1926 in Maitland, MO she was able to make her impact on the world for 97 years. She had the beautiful honor of being called Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, and Friend. Family was everything to DoraLee. She grew up with 9 siblings where her love for family began. On September 12, 1947, she married the love of her life, Gordon Ball, who she remained married to for 50 years until he left this world in 1998. Together, they had 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren.

As a young adult DoraLee went through Nursing School and was the Office Manager at Duckwall’s five and dime store. In 1986 she and her husband bought land, built a house, and moved into what would be “home” in Sun Country for 32 years. Together they were the beginning of a new community. She held church services in her basement every week including a Sunday brunch inviting everyone into her home. She was eventually pivotal in getting the first church built in the neighborhood and continued to serve and build a beautiful community. She then moved to Lakewood, CO in 2018 where she was surrounded by family.

DoraLee saw so many incredible things in her 97 years and developed a passion for several hobbies. She was most passionate about quilting, sewing, gardening, traveling, and hosting family events. Her quilting skills were incredible winning her 2 awards, including a 1st place finish. She loved gifting quilts to her loved ones. Every quilt was thought out with special touches and wrapped with her obvious love. She also thoroughly enjoyed sewing dresses and would donate them to Dress a Girl Around the World making sure girls around the world could own beautiful dresses created with love. Another passion showed up through her very green thumb. She had an immense amount of knowledge and love for gardening and helping to bring life back to plants in trouble. Her house and yard were always beautifully decorated with her plants and vegetables. Yet another great passion was traveling. DoraLee loved to travel near and far, especially if it was to see someone she loved. Finally, she lived for her time around friends and family. She hosted many gatherings for her huge family making her one-of-a-kind homemade noodle gravy just because she knew how much joy it would bring them. That’s a simple glimpse into this incredible warrior.

As DoraLee neared her final days on this earth she proved to everyone that you can defy the odds, break some rules, and perform miracles if you put your mind to it. She has left her family and friends with so many incredible and warm memories. Everyone will have no choice but to smile when they think of her.

This beautiful, strong woman loved butterflies. Butterflies fly all over the world bringing whimsy, magic, and hope to all who see them. A butterfly brings incredible beauty to the world without even knowing it. It can make you smile and, after it flies away, make you long to see it again. DoraLee was a butterfly. She was beautiful, loved to travel, brought joy and hope to the people around her, and she made you smile. Every time we see a butterfly, we will think of her because we know that she IS still a butterfly. Beautiful, magical, traveling the world, spreading joy, and we will forever long to see her again.

She is survived by her 5 children: Stephen Ball, Gary Ball, Kathy (Ball) Walsh, Chris (Ball) Oliver, and Linda (Ball) Rozsa; 10 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 6 siblings. She is preceded in death by her Siblings: Phyllis, George (Buddy), and Thomas; her Husband: Gordon Ball; her Son In-Law: Danny Grams; and her Grandson: Brian Ball.