Muriel A. Ballou died on October 14, 2026 in Richland, Washington at the age of 98. She was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and lived in Richland for 69 years. Muriel was a loving and devoted mother, wife and homemaker. She loved to host family holidays, making sure to decorate with seasonal ceramics that she made at the home of Addie Foss. She enjoyed gardening, collecting, antiquing, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, the Mariners and Seahawks, and volunteering at Central Church and the Richland School District. At about age 50, Muriel followed husband, John, into a life of faith. They each trusted Jesus for salvation from sin and its eternal penalty. Though never claiming perfection, Muriel and John aimed to live in gratitude for grace, hope and the everlasting life to come. Muriel was pre-deceased by her parents, Carl and Florence Austad, brothers Harlow “David” Austad and Rennell “Rudy” Austad, sister Carol Lathrop, husband John Ballou and infant sons Timothy and Thomas Ballou. She is survived by daughters Rebecca (Roger) Kohlhas and Lisa Ballou, sons Harold (Barbie) Ballou and Richard (Lisa) Ballou, and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Private services were held at Einan’s Sunset Gardens.