James Ballensky, 75, 1604 46th St. S.E. - Minot died on Saturday, January 27, 2007 in a Minot hospital.

James was born on October 7, 1931 near Bluegrass, ND; northwest of New Salem, ND; to Peter and Martha (Mindt) Ballensky. He was raised on a farm near Bluegrass and attended rural schools in that area. As a young adult he was employed as a construction worker and assisted on area farms. James enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 18, 1953 and served as a light weapons infantryman in Company C of the 136th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia prior to his honorable discharge as a corporal on September 16, 1955 at Fort Benning. He had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. James returned to North Dakota and began employment in the copper mines of Montana.

James married Connie Fischer on November 24, 1956 at Beulah, ND. They made their home in Glendive Montana prior to moving to Minot in 1963 where he was employed as a mechanic at Westlie Motors. Later, he was employed as a civil service employee at Minot Air Force Base and most recently as a seasonal employee at AGSCO and by Ron Lowman Motors as a car jockey.

James was a member of the NODAK Race Club. He was an avid fan of racing both locally and nationally via NASCAR and World of Outlaws.

Survivors include: wife: Connie Ballensky of Minot; children: Vicki (Gary) Schmidt of Bismarck, Vonnie Ballensky of Houston TX, Penny (Eldon) Erickson of Minot and Randy (Michelle) Ballensky of Ramsey, MN; six grandchildren: Heather Williams, Matt Schmidt, Courtney and Cameron Erickson, Alexis and Jacob Ballensky; sisters: Della (Reuben) Unruh of Bismarck, Arlene (Danny) Anderson of Fort Myers FL and Mildred (Roy) Holverak of Vancouver WA; mother-in-law: Martha Fischer of Beulah, ND; brother-in-law: Gaylen Fischer (Gail Doubs) of Glendive, MT; and two aunts; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

James was preceded in death by his parents and father in law: Fulton Fischer.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Congregational United Church of Christ - Minot.
Graveside Service: Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery - rural Mandan.
Visitation: Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Congregational United Church of Christ organ fund or the charity of the donor's choice.