Liz Balli-Nicholson

Elizabeth Balli-Nicholson, 69, passed away on March 8, 2025.

Elizabeth (Liz) was born October 5, 1955 in Kerrville, Texas to her parents, Gilberto and Guadalupe Balli. Liz grew up in Donna, Texas with her siblings. In 1966, when she was 11, their family moved to Davenport, Iowa, where they remained. Of the many stories she loved to tell, she often spoke about sneaking out of the house late at night, and being chaperoned by her older brother. In 1977, she moved to Des Moines, and quickly became the neighborhood mom to all of her sons’ friends. On July 27, 1990, Liz married Daniel (Danny) Nicholson in Des Moines. They met at Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) two years prior, where they both worked. The first time Liz heard Danny’s laugh she had to find out who it belonged to and after a few months of co-workers encouraging them to talk to each other, Liz called him up and asked him out. The rest, as they say, is history. Danny and Liz lived in Des Moines, Iowa where they began their blended family with Liz’s sons, Matthew and Michael Sandoval and Danny’s children, Naima and Lon Nicholson. Some of their most memorable experiences together as a family were trips visiting the Omaha Zoo, traveling to Colorado, Davenport to visit family, and family reunions in Texas. Liz was an active member of LULAC - The League of United Latin American Citizens - working for Hispanic civil rights starting in 1971 and into the early 1990’s. She was an avid volunteer, and did work for many years at Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics. Some of her favorite things were riding horses, family cookouts, grandchildren’s sleepovers, and music. Her favorite music was her husband Danny’s.

Those left to honor Liz’s memory are her children, Naima (Betsy) Lovejoy, Matthew (Ingrid) Sandoval, and Lon (Maya) Bromolson; daughters-in-law, Jessica Flynn and Brandi Bales; grandchildren, Roman, Malorie and Isaac Sandoval, Juniper and Clementine Bromolson, and Shelby Bales; siblings, Mary (Dean) Schulte, Eduardo Balli, Sylvia (Robert) Silva, Eloy Balli, Gilbert Balli, and Annette Moreno; and countless extended family and friends.

Liz is preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Danny Nicholson; son, Michael Sandoval; parents, Gilberto and Guadalupe Balli; parents-in-law, Dean and Rose Nicholson; sister-in-law, Alice Balli; and brother-in-law, Dennis Nicholson.

The family will greet visitors from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 on Friday, March 21, 2025 followed by funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Burial to take place the following day Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Liberty Cemetery in the Nicholson family plot.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Special Olympics of Iowa.

A special thanks to Danny and Liz’s neighbors, Carlos and Christina for their help and friendship over the years, and to the Sumpin’ Do Family.

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