Harold John Ballensky

Harold "Blinky" John Ballensky, age 95, of Vancouver, WA, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2016 at Discovery Nursing Home. Harold was born March 2, 1920 in Selby, South Dakota, The son of John Ferdinand and Bertha (Remmick) Ballensky. The family moved to Vancouver in June of 1920. He grew up in the Kaufman, Lincoln, 39th Street neighborhoods and attended Lincoln, Arnada, Shumway and Vancouver High School, graduating in 1939. Harold worked at the Vancouver Shipyards during WWII then joined the Army on March 31, 1943. He spent 18 months training in the Field Artillery then was deployed to the South Pacific, serving in the Philippines and Japan. He was honorably discharged February 17, 1946.

Harold married Thelma Bartholomew Randall at 52 years of age. They enjoyed gardening, huckleberry picking, fishing, clamming, skiing and line dancing.

He worked at Lucky Lager for 33 years. After retiring, Harold and Thelma were Snow Birds, traveling to the California and Arizona deserts. Harold taught line dancing at different camp grounds and brought home new dances to teach at the Elks and Moose Lodges. He was a Teamster for 40 years, a member of the Vancouver Elks for 64 years, American Legion 39 years and the Moose Lodge for 31 years.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife Thelma who passed away August 29, 2005; his sister, Verdella Mendenhall in 1973, and his nephew, Donald Wayne Mendenhall in 1986. He is survived by his niece, Beverly (Harold) Buescher of St. Charles, MO; step children Jean (Joe) Clarizio of Molalla, OR, Ron (Diane) Randall and Kathy Randall McKee all of Vancouver and Godson Warren (Linda) Neth of Vancouver.

The family would like to thank Discovery Nursing Home and staff for the loving care and comfort Harold received.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in memory of Harold, to the Washington State Elks Therapy Program for Children.

A Committal Service will be held Friday, April 8, 2016, 10:30 am at Willamette National Cemetery and a Celebration of Life with reception will follow at 12:30 pm at the Elks Lodge, 11605 SE McGillivray Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98683.