Raymond Ball

Funeral services for Raymond Ball will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 6, 2017 at the Bonnerup Funeral Chapel, Albert Lea.  The Reverend Shane Koepke will officiate.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery.  Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea Area Veteran’s Organizations.

Ray died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, September, 29th 2017 at Lake Johanna Shores Nursing Home in Roseville, MN. Ray was born to Ora and Edna (Berthelson) Ball on January 14th, 1922, in Albert Lea, MN. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1939. Shortly thereafter, he entered the Army and WWII. Dad Served in North Africa and then Italy, where he was wounded twice and was awarded The Purple Heart. Dad was proud of his military service. In 1946 Ray married Marion Pleiss, to this union a son was born, whom they dedicated their lives. Dad was a dedicated postal worker. I cannot remember him missing a day at work. He very much enjoyed his coworkers. He retired from the post office after 35 years of service. Dad was a great neighbor, never expecting anything in return. He loved to meet and converse with people. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. My mom and dad were constant companions for 69 years, enjoying many hours and friends, golfing and bowling.  Dad gave up golfing because of vision problems and believing he was a burden to his golfing buddies. Mom and Dad devoted their lives to raising their son and grandchildren. They were wonderful role models and always ready to help. I was so lucky that in their later years they were able to travel with me throughout Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. They made the trips so much more enjoyable. At the end of his life, Dad had many weird ideas that cracked us up. I miss them both so much as we all miss our moms and dads.

Dad was preceded in death by wife Marion, parents Ora and Edna Ball & step-mother Dorothy Ball, father and mother in-law William and Rhoda Pleiss, sister Francis Wilcutt and husband Red, brothers Richard and Llyod Ball, brother in-law Morgan D’Eitienne, sister in law Margie McCorkle and her husband Mac. He is survived by his son Steve, grandchildren Scott, Jason (Abby), and Susan, great grandchildren Jeremy, Elisia, Allison, Samantha and Ava. Sister Mary D’Etienne of Dallas, Texas, who has shown so much compassion for Dad, sister in-law Betty Ball, and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Tom Dahlen who always had time for Dad talking about Albert Lea and its residents. Blessed be his memory.