Memorial
Juanita Mae (Boat) Ballentine, went to be with the Lord on April 1, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Services will be held Monday, April 7, 2025, 11:00 am, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories in Cedar Rapids. The visitation will be Sunday, April 6, 3:00-5:00 pm, at the Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.
Juanita was born on January 9, 1939, in Belle Plaine, Iowa to Francis and Dorothy (Robshaw) Boat. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1959. Juanita was diagnosed with polio at the age of nine months. Even though she had issues with her leg her entire life, she didn’t let that keep her from doing what she wanted to do. She married James L. Ballentine from Port Huron, Michigan on November 2, 1960. From that union she had two children, James Jr and Dorothy. They later divorced in 1990.
Juanita enjoyed going to dirt track car races in the summer with her family and good friend, Carol and her family. She liked to play card games, especially Euchre, and board games. She really enjoyed accompanying Jim Jr to model car shows and turned out to be a good salesperson. Being a grandmother was the joy of her life. She loved having them spend the night and weekends with her and they loved being with her.
Juanita worked at Nash Finch for 38 years doing payroll and accounts payable for small grocery stores in Iowa and surrounding states. After Nash Finch closed, she worked at Brugger’s on Mount Vernon Road in Cedar Rapids for 10 years.
Juanita is survived by her son, James L Ballentine Jr (Lori), of Marion, Iowa, daughter, Dorothy M. Moulds (Robin), of Anamosa, Iowa; grandchildren, Nyssa M. Dixon (Cliff), of Sardinia, Ohio, and Derek M. Moulds, of West Des Moines, Iowa. She is preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Patricia L. Buehler and Sandra K. Shields.
The family would like to thank the staff of Mechanicsville Specialty Care in Mechanicsville, Iowa, and Care Initiatives Hospice for the wonderful care she received.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the family.