Thelma Maxine (Philippi) Ball

Thelma Maxine (Philippi) Ball, 84 years of age, of Beatrice passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025 at Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation after a brief bout with cancer. She was born on January 1, 1941 at Blue Springs to Woodrow and Clara Bell (Weinman) Philippi. Thelma was baptized on June 12, 1955 at the Wymore Church of Christ and was a member of the West Side Baptist Church in Beatrice. She graduated from Holmesville High School in 1958. Thelma was married to Ronal Ball on April 30, 1959 until his death on July 12, 2001. Ron and Thelma owned and operated Maxine’s Restaurant in Beatrice (formerly the Rancho Drive Inn) for a few years and the Pink Elephant Drive Inn in Wymore from 1984 to 1994. After leaving the area, they spent the summers in and around Cody, Wyoming and the winters in Arizona. Thelma worked as a waitress at various restaurants in Wyoming and Arizona and enjoyed over the road trucking. Prior to her retirement, she worked at MOSAIC in Beatrice. Thelma was married to Wayne Anderson on May 17, 2016 after many years of courtship until his death on February 12, 2023. She enjoyed gardening, crafting and decorating, ceramics, collecting dolls and cat memorabilia, her many pet dogs and cats and recently her very special companion cats, Misty and Muggles.

Thelma is survived by her brothers, Larry Philippi and wife Martha of Topeka, Kansas, Jim Philippi and wife Kathy of Des Moines, Iowa, Terry Philippi and wife Alice of Denton, Dan Philippi and wife Vicki of Beatrice; and many nieces, nephews and other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ronal Ball and Wayne Anderson; and brothers, Gerald Philippi, Clair Philippi and wife Beverly, Marvin Philippi and wife Ardyce, and Robert Philippi and wife Marcia.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, February 13, 2026 at the West Side Baptist Church in Beatrice with Jon Palmquist officiating. Casual attire is suggested. There will be a family prayer service at 10:45 AM in the church basement. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice in care of the mortuary. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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