Loren Allen Ballstadt, 85
Loren Allen Ballstadt passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 29, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
A lifelong Minnesotan and third-generation farmer, Loren was born July 24, 1941, at the family home in Clinton Falls Township to William and Vanita (Michael) Ballstadt. His childhood was filled with classic farm kid adventures with his sister Janice and friends, learning the dairy and crop farming ropes, and showing swine at the Steele County Free Fair as a member of the Merton Speeders 4-H Club.
Following his graduation from Owatonna High School in 1959, he continued to work on the family farm and eventually met the love of his life while cruising Main Street in Faribault. Her name was Phyllis Heine, and she certainly was a catch.
Loren and Phyllis were married on October 24, 1964, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault, MN. Over the next 61 years of marriage, the pair grew their family and farm. They continued to operate the family dairy farm, eventually achieving Century Farm recognition. After several decades, they decided to end the dairy operation and focus on crop farming. It was then that Loren began working at Truth Hardware until he retired in 2009 and once again became a full-time farmer.
As his family reflects on everything that made him Loren, Dad, and Grandpa, many pieces bring about bittersweet memories: his love of a lifetime worth of dogs, cats, cows, and other farm animals, many with unique names; his enjoyment of a good game of cards, which he shared with his wife playing in a couples card club for over 40 years; the TV almost always playing a Timberwolves, Vikings, Bears, Twins, or Gopher game; his enduring love of ice cream, especially a hot fudge or chocolate sundae; and so much more.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Loren is survived by his wife Phyllis Ballstadt; four children: Julie (Tim) Blazek, Todd (Lynn) Ballstadt, Kim (Tom) Kusterman, and Dan (Heather) Ballstadt; eleven grandchildren: Jessica (Drew Lexvold) and Allison Blazek, Alex, Andrew, and Austin Ballstadt, Megan, Grace, and Collin Kusterman, Tavis, Jacoby, and Hinley Ballstadt; sister Janice Van Sickle; and many more close family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Vanita Ballstadt, infant sister Phyllis, and infant brother Carl.
His family invites you to attend the visitation on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna. The
funeral service will take place after the visitation at the funeral home, with burial following at St. John Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church of Owatonna or the Alzheimer’s Association.
For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com