Johanna Theresia Hock Balle passed on to a peaceful realm January 19, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. At the center of her life was love of family anchored by devotion to God which she proclaimed regularly by attending Catholic church and saying the rosary. Johanna was a craftswoman of multiple abilities. She was an expert cook and baker. Indeed, everyone looked forward to her fabulous meals, breads, and cookies. Her tortes were heavenly.  She was a master seamstress making many of her family’s clothes, quilts, tablecloths, and kitchen linens. She knitted and crocheted hats, scarves, socks, placemats, pillow covers and wall hangings. Her artistic touch was evident in her beautiful handmade greeting cards. Quality was never compromised. Her home was immaculate and tastefully decorated.

Born to Ludwig & Maria Hock in Malschenberg, Germany November 3, 1926, Johanna was the second oldest of four children, Gottfried, Edmund and Rösel Hock. Following WWII, she volunteered as a nurse’s aide at the Army Hospital in Heidenheim, Germany, where she met Paul Josef Balle, a soldier recovering from war wounds. They married in 1947, built a home in Oberkochen, Germany and had their first two children: Wolfgang Alois Balle

1949 (who later married Lora Enyeart) and Elizabeth Johanna Balle 1954 (who later married Larry Mason). Times were tough in post-war Germany and Paul went ahead to seek employment in America. Months later, Johanna and the two children followed by ship, first to Kitchener Ontario and later to the United States where Paul went to work for the Ford Motor Company. The young family had to learn a new language and adopt a new culture with few friends or family for support. In 1959 a third child, Peter Paul Paul Balle (who later married Marielle Giberson) was born in Maple Heights, Ohio where the Balles lived for more than 25 years.

Johanna made new friends and explored the United States via summer camping trips with the family. She loved the vastness and beauty of her adopted country and became a proud U.S. citizen on March 26, 1965. In 1981, following retirement and with their children all grown, Johanna and Paul returned to Germany and the small village of Oberkochen to live in the home they had built so many years prior in the early 1950’s. They shared their marriage for more than 60 years.

In 2010, two years after Paul died (July 6, 2008) Johanna’s health began to fail. She left Germany for the last time to live with her loving daughter, son in law, and family in Seattle, Washington. She enjoyed her grandchildren Beau Daniel Mason [Jacci Martin Stewart], Ivy Rose Mason [David Walter Sharrah], Dylan Wolfgang Balle, Zachary Paul Balle, and great grandchildren Alexander Mason, Amelia Mason, Katy Sharrah, and Jake Sharrah. She loved them all dearly and she was very proud of all their accomplishments.

The entire family would like to thank the staff, aides and nurses of Mill Creek Cottages for the wonderful care she received while there.

We sadly miss her warm touch and loving smile but will always carry her memory in our hearts.