Kenneth L. Ballard

BALLARD, Kenneth L., 100, Presque Isle, at Springvale, ME, December 1, 2010. Final arrangements will be made in the spring. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.

PRESQUE ISLE – Ken Ballard, 100, died December 1, 2010, at The Lodges Care Center, Springvale, Maine. The son of Raymond K. and Alice M. (Johndro) Ballard, he was born August 8, 1910, in Limestone. After graduating from Limestone High School in 1928, he attended Beal Business College in Bangor from 1929-31.

The potato business in Presque Isle was his vocation—working for several organizations over the years, including Aroostook Production Credit Corporation, Maine State Potato Company, and Maine Potato Growers. In 1955, he started his own businesses (Northern Farms in Presque Isle and Northern Packers in Fort Kent) along with his good friends and partners, Ernie Pinette and Edgar Babin.

During those busy years, he found time to become a charter member of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club, serving as its president in 1952. Presidency of the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce followed in 1953-54. At the time of his death, Ken was the oldest living member of Trinity Lodge, A.F. & A.M. in Presque Isle.

Laura Libby and Ken Ballard were married in the Limestone Methodist Church in the fall of 1936. From that point until she predeceased him in 1969, Laura was his silent partner, biggest supporter, and most trusted advisor.

Although tragedy struck Laura and Ken in 1941, when they lost their first born, Patricia Mae, he is survived by two sons, David K. Ballard and his wife, Linda of Ellsworth, Maine, and Donald R. Ballard and his partner,, Bill Horigan of Wells, Maine; his grandson, John Ballard and his wife, Teresa of Suffolk, VA; his granddaughter, Jennifer Aselton and her husband, Carl of Lincolnville, Maine; along with two great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters.

Final arrangements will be made in the spring. In the meantime, donations in Ken’s memory may be made to the Presque Isle Congregational Church, PO Box 1787, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be expressed at

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