Milson L. Ball, 99, of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Minnewaukan, ND passed away Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks, ND. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 22, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Free Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan with Pastor Lu Mathison officiating. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Military Rites will be conducted by the Gunnerud-Dietrich American Legion Post# 86 of Minnewaukan, ND, Neathery-Simensen VFW Post #756 of Devils Lake, ND and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Interment will be in the Minnewaukan Presbyterian Cemetery.

Milson L. Ball was born April 19, 1916, in Sarles, ND, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Brumwell) Ball. Milson's elementary education was received at Sarles, and he attended Valley City State Teacher's College for two years. He taught junior high grades and music at Leal, ND, for two years. In 1940 he came to Minnewaukan and taught 7th and 8th grade, and also was the band instructor and director. Saturday night concerts played in front of Memorial Hall were well attended and appreciated. He became a member of First Presbyterian Church in Minnewaukan in 1941, and in later years, served his church as an Ordained Elder.

He left Minnewaukan in 1941 and moved to California where he was employed by Lockheed Air Craft Corporation. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and served in the U.S. Naval Air Force in the Islands of the South Pacific. He remained there until December 31, 1944, when he returned to the United States.

Milson married Grace Mahany January 26, 1945. They lived in Pasco, WA, where Milson continued his military service time. In the fall of 1945, he received his honorable discharge from the Navy with a rating of Aviation Chief Machinist Mate. The couple returned to Maddock, ND where Milson taught school for the remainder of the term, and this terminated his teaching career.

Returning to Minnewaukan, Milson became a businessman and opened an appliance store in the Masonic Lodge Building. Ten days before the grand opening of the store, Milson became a dad when Dennis Lee Ball was born on September 21, 1946,

In 1956 Milson built, owned, and operated a new Home Supply Appliance Store which included the Red Owl Agency, and also built the building now occupied by the Minnewaukan Library.

Being civic minded and anxious for the City of Minnewaukan to prosper, he gave of his time freely to serve on the City Council, Commercial Club, American Legion, Evergreen Masonic Lodge, Benson County Fair Association, park board, Minnewaukan Residence, and Director of Minnewaukan Enterprises. He was always thoughtful in giving praise to others but never sought it for himself. He was indeed a faithful servant and friend to all.

Milson and Grace retired in 1977 but continued to reside in Minnewaukan until November 21, 2011, when they moved to Grand Forks. Due to failing health, Milson has resided at Valley Eldercare Center since October 15, 2013.

Survivors include his wife, Grace; son, Dennis (Laurie); grandchildren: Heather (Jim) Douglas; Jeffrey Ball; Holly (Diar) Qastin; and Abbie Ball. Great-grandchildren: Tyler, Allison, and Joshua Douglas; "T.J." and Riley Ball; Samuel, Andrew, and Katherine Qastin; nieces: Carol Pinke, Myrna Ball, and Vicki McPherson; nephews: Victor Thompson and Joseph Ball; and sister-in-law Vera Ball.

Milson was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph and Elizabeth Ball; in-laws: James and Laura (Dot) Mahany; brothers: Alvin and Victor; sisters: Luverne Ward and Violet Hanneman.