Lorine Ella Ida Ballew

Lorine E. Ballew passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025. Lorine was born on October 28, 1933 in Concordia, Missouri to Robert and Laura Hillebrenner (Laura Wolters).

She graduated from Sweet Springs High School in Sweet Springs, MO with the class of 1952. She married Howard E. Ballew on June 13, 1950, and together had son, Ricky, son, David, and daughter, Cathy

Lorine was a loving wife and mother. She worked as a Cashier and Office Manager for National Life and Accident Insurance Company (now AIG) for approximately 30 years before retiring. She then worked part-time as a receptionist for Reece -Nichols.

She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and started attending weekly Bible studies with friends until she was no longer able.

She loved being around people. She made sure to attend the weekly dances at the American Legion, where she would dance and visit with friends and family. In the summer, she loved weekend trips to the Lake of the Ozarks. She also enjoyed taking cruises with her daughter, where she made so many memories.

She was a strong but a very, caring and loving person. She was funny, feisty and full of life. Her smile would light up the room. She was quiet when appropriate, but she could party with the best of them. She and her husband even won a dance contest when she was younger. She was a great cook. Her specialty was Chicken and Dumplings, her most requested dish at family gatherings. She was exactly the kind of person her children would have dreamed of for their mother and is already dearly missed.

Lorine is survived by her son, David Ballew and wife, Genetta; daughter, Cathy Mays and husband, Ron; grandchildren, Anji Mezzacasa husband, Mike, Chassy Green, Chad LaVoi, DJ Ballew, Emily Sapp, and Ben Mays; 12 great grandchildren and 17 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by ex-spouse, Howard Ballew; infant son, Ricky Ballew; sister, Ruth Peterson; mother, Laura Hillebrenner; father, Robert Hillebrenner.

A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, June 1st, from 5pm to 7pm at Speaks Suburban Chapel at 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO 64055.