LELAND-Lena Andersen Ball passed away on April 21, 2026, at her home in Leland after 93 years of high energy, fun, and tenacity.

Lena led an extraordinary life. Born and raised in Denmark during and after World War II, she danced as a professional ballerina. There she met and married George Ball and moved to the U.S. in the 1950s. Her first summer in Leland she scandalized the town when she wore her bikini to the beach, showing a sense of style that lasted her whole life. When living in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in the 1960s Lena won numerous awards for her deep-sea fishing exploits, including Best Female Angler and was one of the first women ever to catch “The Big Five.” After her divorce, she ran an interior decorating business for years before retiring. She loved entertaining and cooking her Danish recipes, and adored her children, grandchildren, nieces, and friends, who filled her final weeks with love and support.

Lena is survived by her children, Kristine Ball and Peter Ball, her grandchildren, Sara Solli and Erik Solli, and her nieces, Mette Christensen and Gitte Meddings.

A celebration of Lena’s life will be held this summer in Leland.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Leelanau Conservancy.

Special thanks to Independent Caregiver Services for their wonderfully skilled and kind caregivers.

Please share condolences and memories with Lena’s family at www.martinson.info. Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.