Obituary of Cornelia Marjorie Ballou

Cornelia Marjorie Ballou, 91, of Barnum passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at New Perspective, in Barnum, MN. Cora was born on June 14, 1932 in Kettle River to Steven and Adelaide Tomczak. She began learning in the one room school in Kettle River, later attending and graduating from Moose Lake School in 1950. Cora married Leland Ballou on December 27, 1955 at St. Joseph Church in Split Rock, MN.

Cora lived in Duluth and was employed by Kelly Furniture as a bookkeeper. She married Leland while living in Duluth. They later moved east of Barnum and bought a farm they named West Grove Farm, where they lived and farmed until 1991. During this time she worked at Ruby’s Red Owl in Barnum, later at Barnum Little Store for 25 plus years. During this time she lovingly and whole heartedly raised 5 children.

She was known for her prize winning chocolate angel food cake which she made for many of her children’s birthdays, taking 1^st prize for many years at the Carlton County Fair. She had unwavering Catholic faith always making sure her family attended mass every Sunday. Cora was a member of the Holy Trinity Church in Barnum, also of the Ladies Guild. She later became a member of St. Mary & Joseph’s in Sawyer. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Peterson Westerberg Post for over 50 years and served in multiple positions.

Cora had a love of Polka music, travelling with her husband to Polka fests and supported him for various musical gigs. Especially singing her favorite song: You are My Sunshine. She had a love of chocolate, a good cup of coffee or 2, playing cards with family and friends, a love of animals, but especially dogs, and her love of nature which included taking walks, picking wildflowers, camping and fishing. She enjoyed many annual North Shore trips.

The greatest highlight of her life was being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Cora was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Carl, Clem and Jerome; sisters, Dorothy, Jean and Isabel.

She is survived by her children, Jeffry (Cheryl) Ballou, Bonita (Brian) Calverley, Tom (Rochelle) Ballou, Terry Ballou (Patty MacDonald), Celeste (Roger) Zimmel; brother, Greg Tomczak; sisters-in-law, Marjorie (Roger) Weske and Mary (Joe) Caddell; grandchildren, Karen (Jon) Gorentz, Todd (Kaylee) Ballou, Brandon Calverley, Blake, Ryan, Bailey and Kaitlyn Ballou, Abby Zimmel; great grandchildren, Jaden, Kaylin and Kiersten Gorentz, Justin, Lane and Lacey Ballou; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

 Visitation: 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, July 7, 2023, at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14^th Street, Cloquet, and 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service, Saturday, July 8, 2023 at St. Mary & Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1225 Mission Rd, Sawyer, Minnesota. A luncheon will follow the service. Family interment will be at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Barnum. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14^th Street, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com