Bertha "Betty" Marie Prockish Ball

Bertha “Betty” Marie Prockish Ball, 98, of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away on December 15, 2025, at Ascension Living Via Christi Village. She was born on July 17, 1927, in St. Mary’s, Kansas, to Frances and Magdalena “Lena” (Macht) Prockish.

Betty grew up on the family farm in the St. George area and was the eldest of seven children. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade and later graduated from St. George High School, where she formed lifelong friendships with Wilma Brooks and Mildred Goehring. Known as “the Three Musketeers,” the three friends met monthly to play cards and enjoy pizza well into their 90s.

Following high school, Betty worked at the Kansas State University 4-H office. On April 15, 1948, she married Kenneth D. “Scottie” Ball at Seven Dolors Catholic Church. After their marriage, Betty worked alongside Scottie, helping feed hired hands and managing bookkeeping for their farming and cattle operations. Together, they managed cattle and farmland for Jack Vanier’s Manhattan operation from the 1950s until their retirement in 1981. Scottie preceded her in death on April 8, 1983. They were blessed with three sons. Together, Betty and Scottie shared a love that resonated deeply.

Betty was involved in the Pottawatomie and Manhattan communities. She served as a 4-H leader, was a longtime member and president of the Seven Dolors Altar Society, worked for more than 50 years at The Budget Shop, served as secretary and president of Green Valley E.H.U./KAFCE, and was a member of the Green Valley Board. She also worked for over 20 years as a cook for Manhattan Catholic Schools.

Above all, Betty loved her family and was proud of each and every one of them. Her true passions included helping her children and grandchildren with 4-H projects, playing games of all kinds with her family, also quilting, and painting. She was grateful to witness the successes of her children and their families.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Scottie; her son, Douglas W. Ball; her parents, Frances and Lena Prockish; her sister, Dorene Prockish Howard; and her brothers, Tom Prockish and Steve Prockish.

She is survived by her sons, Edward L. (Barbara) Ball and Donald E. (Terri) Ball, daughter in law Jeri Ball; ten grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; her sisters, Mary Prockish Weixelman and Rose Ann Prockish Wyatt; her brother, Jack (Dee) Prockish; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Friday, December 19, 2025, with a vigil/rosary from 5:00-5:30 p.m. and visitation with the family from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Irvin Parkview Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Manhattan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Seven Dolors Catholic Church and Manhattan Catholic Schools.