H. Leland Ballou

H. Leland Ballou, 83, of Barnum passed away Saturday, November 29, 2014. He was born April 29, 1931 in Rosedale, Indiana to Howard and Chloe Ballou. He grew up in Nemadji Township which later became Barnum. Leland attended Central School and later graduated from Barnum High School in 1949. He worked at Moose Lake State Hospital from 1949 to 1951 prior to enlisting in the Air Force in 1951. He served in the Korean Conflict as an airman first class radio mechanic until his honorable discharge in 1955. Leland married Cornelia Tomczak on December 27, 1955. Leland then earned his accounting degree and worked in this field for several years in Duluth. He and Cora then moved to Barnum and purchased West Grove Dairy Farm where they raised their five children. In addition to farming, Leland had other jobs including working at Olson Plumbing, driving school bus for the Barnum School District for 42 years and as a caretaker for Riverside Cemetery. Leland was a member of St. Mary & Joseph's Catholic Church in Sawyer, a 50 year member of the American Legion Post 415 in Barnum and served as commander for many of those years. He was also a member of the Golden Guernsey Assoc. Leland will be remembered for his love of music, especially old time polka. Over the years he played his accordion in various dance bands. He served as church organist at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Barnum for many years. For the last ten years he was the host for the International Polka Party on WKLK every Sunday. Recently he provided entertainment for many at the area assisted living facilities. Also he and Cora would travel statewide to attend a good polka-fest. Due to Leland's love of trains they enjoyed several Amtrak vacations from California to Washington DC. He will be missed by many. Leland was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Herman and Ivan Ballou. He is survived and will be missed by his wife of 59 years, Cornelia; children, Jeffry (Cheryl) of Barnum, Bonita (Brian) Calverley of Mahtowa, Tom (Rochelle) of Duluth, Terry (Lisa Bromen) of Hinckley, and Celeste (Roger) Zimmel of Apple Valley; sisters, Marjorie (Roger) Weske of Browerville and Mary (Joe) Caddell of Apache Junction, Ariz.; grandchildren, Karen (Jon) Gorentz, Todd (Kaylee) Ballou, Brandon Calverley, Blake, Ryan, Bailey and Kaitlyn Ballou; great grandchildren, Jaden and Kaylin Gorentz, Justin and Lane Ballou with another one due in May; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Friday, Dec. 5th in Sts. Mary and Joseph's Catholic Church in Sawyer. Military Honors were accorded by the Carlton VFW Honor Guard and the Peterson Westerberg American Legion Post in Barnum. A time of lunch and fellowship followed in the church social hall. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Barnum. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome