Mildred (Tesdahl) BALLOU

BALLOU, TESDAHL, LARSON, ARMSTRONG, SELLERS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/17/2013 at 18:04:05

December 12, 1922 --- August 5, 2013

Dr. Mildred (Mim) T. Ballou -- Marco Island, FL

Dr. Mildred (Mim) Ballou, Professor Emeritis at Ball State University, died August 5, 2013 at her home on Marco Island, FL. She resided on Marco Island portions of the year 1982 to 2003 and full time since 2004. Born on December 12, 1922, in Clarion, Iowa, Mim was the daughter of Henry A. Tesdahl and Anna (Larson) Tesdahl. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Dr. Philip E. Ballou, A son, Stephen P. Ballou of Des Moines, Iowa, and a brother, Richard Tesdahl of Clarion, Iowa. She was predeceased by her parents, and two sisters, Margaret Armstrong of Fort Collins, Co., and Alvina Sellers of Clarion, IA. Mim was a graduate of Clarion High School, class of 1940. She was a graduate of Drake University with a B. S. Degree in Elementary Education in August 1949 with highest honors. She received her M. S. Degree in Elementary Education from Drake University in 1955 and her Ed.D Degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado in 1960.

Dr. Ballou began her career teaching all grades in the one-room schools of Wright County, IA from 1940-1945. She taught Junior High English in Winterset, Iowa, 1945-1946, and returned to Winterset to teach in the Elementary School 1949-1950. She established a pre-school in Winterset in 1951. Beginning in 1952-1958 she taught at Casady and Hanawalt elementary schools in Des Moines and during 1958-1960 she taught elementary science on the Des Moines schools' television station KDPS. From 1960-1988 she was Assistant Associate and Full Professor at Ball State University. She was Chairperson of the Elementary Education Department for 12 years during which she developed the educational programs of reading and early childhood with master, specialist, and doctoral degree programs. During her years at Ball State, Mim co-authored two elementary science K-5 textbook series, one for the L. W. Singer Company (1967) and another series for The Follett Publishing Company (1972). Mim also wrote numerous chapters in other books as well as authored articles in national publications. Mim was elected secretary of the National Science Teachers Association and served as co-chair of the Kansas City National Convention. Mim enjoyed teaching the course "Psychology of Learning" to elementary majors. She also co-supervised 20 BSU college students teaching in the schools in England. Mim was recruited to teach overseas in Germany and in Bolivia by the U. S. State Department during 1986-1988. Mim was the co-recipient of National Educations grants to establish a hands-on-learning program in the Fort Wayne School Corporation in the area of Elementary Science. Throughout Mim's educational years and since, children and learning were her major interests.

During Mim's career she was honored by being named President of Indiana Young Children's Association, Hoosier Educator of the year, and the Indiana State University Creativity Award. Mim also received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Northern Colorado in 1984 and The Distinguished Service Award from Drake University in 1986. She was one of 100 who were inducted into the University of Northern Colorado Hall of Fame when it was established in 1989.

Mim's community service included Muncie Indiana Women's Symphony League Board, Art Alliance Board, Muncie Hospital Board, and a co-founder of the Muncie, IN Children's Museum. As a resident of Marco Island, Florida, she was elected President of Marco's Women's Club, The Marco University Women's Club, and was a member of the Marco Hospital Board. She was listed in Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in the world, The International Biography of Women in the World, and Two Thousand Women of Achievement.

A Celebration of her life will be held at a date and time to be determined. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to The United Church of Marco Island, Marco Island, FL., 34145, The Marco Island University Women's Club, The Marco Island Women's Club, and The Ball State University Elementary Education Department, Muncie, IN 47306.

Des Moines Register - Iowa
August 13, 2013