Robert Ball

Robert “Bob” Ball, age 91, of Fosston, MN, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 14th, at his home with his daughters by his side. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19th, at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Michelle Miller officiating. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery, Fosston, at a later date. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Military honors will be provided by the Army National Guard Honors Team. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Robert (Bob) James Ball was born January 9, 1934, in rural Lengby, Mahnomen County, Minnesota to his parents George and Mildred (Palmerton) Ball. Bob attended Antell Country School in rural Lengby and Mahnomen School. He met the love of his life, Lois Dunning, at a dance in Lengby. They married November 6, 1954. He enlisted in the Army in December 1954. After boot camp he was stationed in Erlangen, Germany. Lois and baby Debbie joined him in Germany in December of 1955.

After his honorable discharge, Bob and Lois return to the homestead in rural Lengby and purchased it from his mother. Bob and Lois worked hard to support their growing family. They milked Holstein cows, raised hogs and sheep, grains, corn and alfalfa. Later they focused on the dairy and growing crops to feed the cows. Debbie in 1955, was followed by Randy in 1957, Peggy in 1959, Judy in 1961 and Jo-Jo (Roberta) in 1964. Bob was active as a director on the AMPI (Associated Milk Producers Incorporated) board for years. He always enjoyed his trips around the United States with fellow directors.

Bob and Lois remained on the farm until Bob’s retirement in 2000. They moved to Fosston where he became very active in the community. He volunteered as the groundskeeper at Rosehill Cemetery for over 20 years. When Bob retired from that position, it took three men to replace him. He also delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years. Bob was always available to lend a helping hand to mow a lawn, cut down a tree or clear a driveway. He helped many fellow farmers with milking cows or field work, including his son-in-law, Paul Freeman, during harvest.

Bob and Lois enjoyed travel, including trips to Chile, South America and New Zealand to visit some of the multiple foreign exchange students they hosted on the farm. They also loved visiting their children and grandchildren around the state and annual trips to Montana to visit family.

Bob passed away peacefully at his home in Fosston with his daughters at his side on November 14, 2025, at the age of 91 years and 10 months.

Bob is survived by his daughters: Debbie (Ernie) Moen, of Cambridge, MN and Judy Ophus (Arne Stahel) of Fosston and Alexandria, MN; his grandchildren: Nate (Marie) Moen, Erin(Justin) Weller, Sara Ball, Jennifer Ball, Ben (Jill) Nelson, Brady (Amanda) Nelson, Dana (Keith) Wojciechowski, Jolene Nelson, Kelly (Nick) Sather, Andy (Alanna Hanson) Ophus, Hannah (Corey) Cook; his great grandchildren: Nettie, August and Lane Moen, Peyton and Reagan Weller, Molly, Maddy and Gus Nelson, Talia, Harvey and Elloise Nelson, Kally Wojciechowski (Max Okke), Isaiah Lande, Paxton Gauger, Brodie and Owen Sather, Emily, Blake, Rhett and Ella Ophus, Oliver Egersdorf-Boyum; his brother Leonard Ball and his son in law Paul Freeman, many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Preceding Bob in death were his parents; his wife, Lois, of 62 years; his children, Randy Ball, Peggy Nelson, and Roberta Freeman; his grandson, Bobby Ball; sons-in-law, Wally Nelson and Paul Ophus; his siblings, Kenneth, Clyde and Clarence Ball, Sidney Lyon, Betty Holm, Joyce Kutzler and Allen Coates.

Bob’s honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren