Brenda Jean Ballman

Brenda was born on May 1, 1967, to her proud parents, Julius and Ardelle Messenbrink, at St. Mary's Hospital. She lived with her family in Eden Prairie during the first year of her life, where she was also baptized. Brenda and her family later moved to the family farm in Grove City. She attended Atwater Public School through sixth grade before her parents relocated the family to Minnetonka. Brenda went on to graduate from Minnetonka High School in 1985.

Brenda spent the next several years in St. Cloud continuing her education. In 1987, she took a break from school to start a family. Her daughters, Tiffany and Brittany, were the joy of her life. Brenda later married the love of her life, David, in a private family ceremony. He was a wonderful father to Tiffany and Brittany. In January 2017, Brenda lost David suddenly to a heart attack.

At the age of 40, Brenda returned to school to complete her education and went on to earn her cosmetology license. She worked at Fantastic Sams and truly loved doing hair. At age 45, she underwent a full knee replacement, which ultimately ended her career in cosmetology. Brenda then returned to the Minneapolis area and made Plymouth her home. She later worked at Comcast for three and a half years before being diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Brenda is survived by her two daughters, Tiffany (Josue) Troche and Brittany (Jon) Larson; her mother, Ardelle Messenbrink; her siblings, Kent, Paul, and Becky (Chad) Messenbrink; and her two beloved grandchildren, Liam and Harper Larson.

She was also eagerly awaiting the arrival of another granddaughter, Ivy Troche, whom she was so excited to hopefully meet in June.

Brenda was preceded in death by her grandparents; her father, Julius Messenbrink; her husband, David Ballman; and her nephew, Austin Thilges.

Brenda will be remembered as a deeply loving and selfless woman who always put others before herself. She found her greatest joy in being a mother and, especially, a grandmother. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and a constant source of strength throughout her courageous seven-year battle with cancer. Brenda's kindness, resilience, and unwavering love for her family will be carried on by all who knew her.