Hulda Ballhagen

Hulda A. “Tooty” Ballhagen of Graceville, age 95, died on July 8, 2017, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton. Rev. Bev McNeill will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church, and burial will be at the Clinton Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be her grandsons: Adam Ebnet, Alan Ebnet, Anthony Ebnet, Kenneth Ballhagen Jr., and Dustin Ballhagen; and great-grandson, Isaac Ebnet. Honorary bearers will be all of Tooty’s great-grandchildren.

Hulda “Tooty” Ballhagen was born on July 31, 1921, in Wheaton, MN. She was the daughter of Emil and Elsie (Hermann) Jorschumb. Tooty grew up near Wheaton and attended the District 45 Country School.

Tooty met her husband, Ivan Ballhagen, at a birthday party. Ivan asked her on a date to the movies, and they fell in love. They were united in marriage on July 6, 1952, and remained together until Ivan’s death. Together they were blessed with four children: Kenneth, Karen, Gary and Dale.

In addition to being a loving farmer’s wife, she also worked in her brother’s flower shop. She was a member of several organizations, including: 4-H, Women’s Country Club, Trinity Lutheran Church and the church’s Ladies Aide. She enjoyed sewing, playing games, reading, music and playing Kitten Ball (baseball). She was a talented seamstress and was devoted to her family. Her favorite memories were the times she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her loved ones will cherish her handmade gifts.

Tooty is survived by sons: Kenneth (Barb) Ballhagen of Zimmerman, MN; Gary (Pam) Ballhagen of Maple Plain, MN; and Dale (Shelly) Ballhagen of Zimmerman, MN; daughter, Karen (Roland) Ebnet of Clinton, MN; brothers: Robert Jorschumb of Ortonville, MN, and Harold Jorschumb; sister, Carol Haugen of Vacaville, CA; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan; parents: Emil and Elsie Jorschumb; brothers: Vernon, Art, and Leo Jorschumb; sister, Leila Bogenrief; and grandchild, Andy Ebnet.