I had the distinct pleasure of knowing 2 different sides of Ballard. I remember Ballard and my uncle- 2 best friends who back in the day would chase the ladies and babysit us. I also saw the EMT side. In 2005 my daughter ended up needing the Tower Ambulance service- we were able to see how trained and impressive his EMTs are. I feel my daughter is alive because of what Ballard made his lifes passion. I thank him daily for making sure Tower has one of the finest ambulance departments in Minnesota. We all miss Ballard, but I know that he and uncle Timmy are keeping Heaven full of laughter! Dena- Tower, MN
Hey all this is Valerie, Ballard's daughter! I am sharing this story on behalf of Mark Shermer who worked at potlatch with my dad. He said that my dad was always very respectful and really appreciated the opportunity to get to work with him. My dad was over at Mark's house talking Zee Medical supplies when the kids were in the other room sliding down the stairs on their butts, he said next thing you know dad was flying into the other room emergency instincts kicking in and it turned out grandma was just taking her turn down the stairs!
Hello everyone, it seems like a lifetime ago, and in some ways it is. A long time ago, Darla and I dated for a period of time and I remember well the times spent in the house with the family. Ballard in the living room watchin' the tube and the girls in the kitchen cleanin' up or doing homework. I knew of Ballard from my dad, Bruce Keller, that he was a good egg and worked hard to take care of the community and area around where he lived. Tons of respect for those who give their time the way that they did. I never knew it then, being a young man with attitude, that he was the best kind of man you could be. He worked hard, helped others in the town where he lived, and I saw first hand that his family was always a top priority. I guess when you're young, sometimes you have so much respect for people, that you're almost afraid of them. He was someone that I viewed as an honest, straight to the point in a good way, man. I will always have him somewhere in my mind. I hope everyone has as good of memories of Ballard as I do. Take care. Patrick Keller
Ballard Turnbull spent a great deal of his life helping others. His work with the Tower Area Ambulance Service is legendary. He spent countless hours improving the emergency medical services(EMS) in the region. He is greatly missed by the EMS Community.
This is Julie Lenci, sister-in-law of Ballard's daughter, Val. I only knew Ballard for a few years, but he has left a lasting impression on me and my fiance, Paul Anderson. One of my best memories about Ballard was how kind he was to Paul and I. Ballard offered Paul assistance in getting a job at Minntac as an engineer after he graduated from college the first time he met him. Even after he was sick and had stopped working, he went into Minntac offices and pushed for them to hurry up and hire Paul or else they were going to lose a great employee. It amazes me that of all the things he could have been doing during those last few weeks, he made it a point to check in with Paul and he made sure Paul got hired. He also told his good friend, Dennis Jensrud, to look after Paul at Minntac and make sure he was doing okay. Recently, I met a girl who mentioned being an EMT. I asked if she knew Ballard. Her face immediately lit up, and with a hint of sadness said, "I loved Ballard." She told me the story of when she first met him. She had to take her EMT test. She said everyone told her "YOU DON'T WANT BALLARD!! HE IS A HARD-ASS AND HE WILL FAIL YOU." So she walks into the testing room and the instructor tells her how the test will run, she's feeling confident about it, until he says, "By the way, my name is BAllard." She was so nervous and scared that she completely forgot everything she had learned. Ballard said to her, "I KNOW you know how to do this stuff, what's going on?" She told him what everyone had told her about getting him as a tester. He laughed and coached her through it until she calmed down and regained her senses and passed her test. She said from then on she has thought the world of him! And so do all of us. This site will be a beautiful recollection of stories that will be there to show my nieces or nephews some day, because though they will have never met their grandfather, they will know his stories, his friends, his values, his beliefs, and his love for them.
The first time I really got to know Ballard was working with him at Potlatch and he approached me one day and asked me if I'd be interested in being a part of the Tower Ambulance Service. I told him I didn't know if that's was for me. He said, "I think you'd like it, just take the course and see what happens." I did, and the rest is history. I'll never regret that I decided to do it. I still feel the adrenaline pumping each time I hear a siren. I could tell you many stories about our adventures on the Ambulance Service, but one things always sticks in my mind. He truly cared about each and everyone he came in contact with. To me his biggest attribute on the service, other than the excellent care he provided, was the way he could take someone's mind off their pain and suffering. I've never met anyone that could tell a joke in the middle of a crisis and have the person hurting actually smile or in most cases, even laugh. Ballard cared a great deal about making sure we all knew what we were suppose to do to provide the best care possible. Our group also had great times each year assisting with setting off the fireworks from the Soudan Mine hill. I was also a member of the Breitung Fire Department at that time. I spent several years as Ballard's Assistant Supervisor, and was able to see what the Ambulance Service meant to him. It was never about what glory could be gained by it, but just being able to give back to the people in their time of need. There are so many crazy runs to remember, but remember them I will. Unfortunately, I moved from the area over 10 years ago, but my daughter Melissa and brother Peanut always kept me informed of how the service was doing. Ballard, you are definitely missed. I'll never forget one of your favorite lines to lighten things up,"Always remember to bare the chest!" Miss ya, Lynell (Nellie)
I was so happy to be able to visit with Ballard before he Passed. WE had the oppertunity to reminise about the family, Pete, Sally and our mother. The most charished thing was to take ballard on his last boat ride and walk thru putsy's hunting ground.
There is not a day goes by that I don't think about him and remember our phone call as I lived so far away. Ballard will be dearly missed.
I am glad that I had a brother like Ballard. Life was never dull when he was there. I was glad we were able to spend time with him in those last pain riddin days.
We were able to take him on his last boat ride and walk thru the hunting gounds of Putsy.
There is not a day goes by I don't think of him. I know when I get to heaven I know he will be talking somebodys arm off.
We met Ballard and Marilyn and all the family when our son Matt started dating Val and were then married in 2005. Ballards jokes and stories always kept us laughing and enjoying his company. He was very dedicated to his family and EMT services as when ever we came for the 4th of July picnic he always had an ambulance call and would take off running and then return for more visiting. I am glad we had a visit with Ballard at the hospital a few days before he past away to say our goodbye and thanks for being a part of his life. He was in good spirits and still had a few jokes for us. We have been blessed with the most wonderful daughter-in-law and we hope when the time is right she can continue with her EMT services and use the skills her Dad taught her. Greg and Shirley Lenci
Ballard could sort of be compared to that really good kind of salsa that you can't get enough of, run out of it too soon, would take some extra time and effort to make, and is genuine 100% homemade. This genuine salsa contains a lot of ingredients that make it ;complex and simple, sweet and vinegary, with just enough "kick" to let you know its there but to also respect it.
I never before or since met a man (person) that could blend all of these humankind ingredients together so well.
He was certainly a genuine and homemade :visionary(complex), :laughter (simple), caring,helping, respect, and love (sweet), :pluck ( vinegary), :backbone (just enough kick)
I had a lot of respect for the guy (and all of those other guys up there who were not from "da cities" because of him.)
I will never forget the first time I met Ballard. I am a friend of Darla's and she had invited me over to her house. When we arrived we were greeted by Ballard. Always wanting to make people feel welcome, Ballard asked if I would like anything. He continued with pickled herring to which I replied no thank you. He then said, "How about Preparation H on crackers." That was just the first of many laughs to follow!
Hi Everyone! I just wanted Ballards family to know that he was a wondeful person. I was fortunate enough to be one of ballards students at the college. He was always upbeat and funny about all the things in life. He was very passionate about his work and people. If I was struggling he would take the extra time to make sure that me or any of the other students would get that help so they could succeed. He was a great man and a wonderful role model for me and the rest of the people he encountered. He is surely very missed.
13 comments:
Hello everyone. This is a test. Please share a story - it means a lot to me. Thank you!
Darla
I had the distinct pleasure of knowing 2 different sides of Ballard. I remember Ballard and my uncle- 2 best friends who back in the day would chase the ladies and babysit us. I also saw the EMT side. In 2005 my daughter ended up needing the Tower Ambulance service- we were able to see how trained and impressive his EMTs are. I feel my daughter is alive because of what Ballard made his lifes passion.
I thank him daily for making sure Tower has one of the finest ambulance departments in Minnesota.
We all miss Ballard, but I know that he and uncle Timmy are keeping Heaven full of laughter!
Dena- Tower, MN
Hey all this is Valerie, Ballard's daughter! I am sharing this story on behalf of Mark Shermer who worked at potlatch with my dad. He said that my dad was always very respectful and really appreciated the opportunity to get to work with him. My dad was over at Mark's house talking Zee Medical supplies when the kids were in the other room sliding down the stairs on their butts, he said next thing you know dad was flying into the other room emergency instincts kicking in and it turned out grandma was just taking her turn down the stairs!
Hello everyone, it seems like a lifetime ago, and in some ways it is. A long time ago, Darla and I dated for a period of time and I remember well the times spent in the house with the family. Ballard in the living room watchin' the tube and the girls in the kitchen cleanin' up or doing homework. I knew of Ballard from my dad, Bruce Keller, that he was a good egg and worked hard to take care of the community and area around where he lived. Tons of respect for those who give their time the way that they did. I never knew it then, being a young man with attitude, that he was the best kind of man you could be. He worked hard, helped others in the town where he lived, and I saw first hand that his family was always a top priority. I guess when you're young, sometimes you have so much respect for people, that you're almost afraid of them. He was someone that I viewed as an honest, straight to the point in a good way, man. I will always have him somewhere in my mind. I hope everyone has as good of memories of Ballard as I do. Take care. Patrick Keller
Ballard Turnbull spent a great deal of his life helping others. His work with the Tower Area Ambulance Service is legendary. He spent countless hours improving the emergency medical services(EMS) in the region. He is greatly missed by the EMS Community.
This is Julie Lenci, sister-in-law of Ballard's daughter, Val. I only knew Ballard for a few years, but he has left a lasting impression on me and my fiance, Paul Anderson. One of my best memories about Ballard was how kind he was to Paul and I. Ballard offered Paul assistance in getting a job at Minntac as an engineer after he graduated from college the first time he met him. Even after he was sick and had stopped working, he went into Minntac offices and pushed for them to hurry up and hire Paul or else they were going to lose a great employee. It amazes me that of all the things he could have been doing during those last few weeks, he made it a point to check in with Paul and he made sure Paul got hired. He also told his good friend, Dennis Jensrud, to look after Paul at Minntac and make sure he was doing okay. Recently, I met a girl who mentioned being an EMT. I asked if she knew Ballard. Her face immediately lit up, and with a hint of sadness said, "I loved Ballard." She told me the story of when she first met him. She had to take her EMT test. She said everyone told her "YOU DON'T WANT BALLARD!! HE IS A HARD-ASS AND HE WILL FAIL YOU." So she walks into the testing room and the instructor tells her how the test will run, she's feeling confident about it, until he says, "By the way, my name is BAllard." She was so nervous and scared that she completely forgot everything she had learned. Ballard said to her, "I KNOW you know how to do this stuff, what's going on?" She told him what everyone had told her about getting him as a tester. He laughed and coached her through it until she calmed down and regained her senses and passed her test. She said from then on she has thought the world of him! And so do all of us. This site will be a beautiful recollection of stories that will be there to show my nieces or nephews some day, because though they will have never met their grandfather, they will know his stories, his friends, his values, his beliefs, and his love for them.
The first time I really got to know Ballard was working with him at Potlatch and he approached me one day and asked me if I'd be interested in being a part of the Tower Ambulance Service. I told him I didn't know if that's was for me. He said, "I think you'd like it, just take the course and see what happens." I did, and the rest is history. I'll never regret that I decided to do it. I still feel the adrenaline pumping each time I hear a siren. I could tell you many stories about our adventures on the Ambulance Service, but one things always sticks in my mind. He truly cared about each and everyone he came in contact with. To me his biggest attribute on the service, other than the excellent care he provided, was the way he could take someone's mind off their pain and suffering. I've never met anyone that could tell a joke in the middle of a crisis and have the person hurting actually smile or in most cases, even laugh.
Ballard cared a great deal about making sure we all knew what we were suppose to do to provide the best care possible. Our group also had great times each year assisting with setting off the fireworks from the Soudan Mine hill. I was also a member of the Breitung Fire Department at that time. I spent several years as Ballard's Assistant Supervisor, and was able to see what the Ambulance Service meant to him. It was never about what glory could be gained by it, but just being able to give back to the people in their time of need.
There are so many crazy runs to remember, but remember them I will. Unfortunately, I moved from the area over 10 years ago, but my daughter Melissa and brother Peanut always kept me informed of how the service was doing.
Ballard, you are definitely missed.
I'll never forget one of your favorite lines to lighten things up,"Always remember to bare the chest!"
Miss ya,
Lynell (Nellie)
I was so happy to be able to visit with Ballard before he Passed. WE had the oppertunity to reminise about the family, Pete, Sally and our mother. The most charished thing was to take ballard on his last boat ride and walk thru putsy's hunting ground.
There is not a day goes by that I don't think about him and remember our phone call as I lived so far away. Ballard will be dearly missed.
Love ya Bro,
Tom & Sib
I am glad that I had a brother like Ballard. Life was never dull when he was there. I was glad we were able to spend time with him in those last pain riddin days.
We were able to take him on his last boat ride and walk thru the hunting gounds of Putsy.
There is not a day goes by I don't think of him. I know when I get to heaven I know he will be talking somebodys arm off.
Love you Bro,
Tom & sib
We met Ballard and Marilyn and all the family when our son Matt started dating Val and were then married in 2005. Ballards jokes and stories always kept us laughing and enjoying his company. He was very dedicated to his family and EMT services as when ever we came for the 4th of July picnic he always had an ambulance call and would take off running and then return for more visiting. I am glad we had a visit with Ballard at the hospital a few days before he past away to say our goodbye and thanks for being a part of his life. He was in good spirits and still had a few jokes for us.
We have been blessed with the most wonderful daughter-in-law and we hope when the time is right she can continue with her EMT services and use the skills her Dad taught her.
Greg and Shirley Lenci
Ballard could sort of be compared to that really good kind of salsa that you can't get enough of, run out of it too soon, would take some extra time and effort to make, and is genuine 100% homemade. This genuine salsa contains a lot of ingredients that make it ;complex and simple, sweet and vinegary, with just enough "kick" to let you know its there but to also respect it.
I never before or since met a man (person) that could blend all of these humankind ingredients together so well.
He was certainly a genuine and homemade :visionary(complex), :laughter (simple),
caring,helping,
respect, and love
(sweet),
:pluck ( vinegary),
:backbone (just enough
kick)
I had a lot of respect for the guy (and all of those other guys up there who were not from "da cities" because of him.)
I will never forget the first time I met Ballard. I am a friend of Darla's and she had invited me over to her house. When we arrived we were greeted by Ballard. Always wanting to make people feel welcome, Ballard asked if I would like anything. He continued with pickled herring to which I replied no thank you. He then said, "How about Preparation H on crackers." That was just the first of many laughs to follow!
Hi Everyone! I just wanted Ballards family to know that he was a wondeful person. I was fortunate enough to be one of ballards students at the college. He was always upbeat and funny about all the things in life. He was very passionate about his work and people. If I was struggling he would take the extra time to make sure that me or any of the other students would get that help so they could succeed. He was a great man and a wonderful role model for me and the rest of the people he encountered. He is surely very missed.
Post a Comment