Bernice Evelyn Ballantyne

Bernice Evelyn Ballantyne, 90, passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars, IA. She was surrounded by her family and their loving staff.

Visitation with the family will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, December 29, 2023, at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. The memorial service will follow at 2:00 P.M., with Pastor Mike Hulinsky officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be given at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Bernice was born June 19, 1933 in Sioux City, the daughter of Earl Levi Kellogg and Leoma Evelyn (Gregg) Kellogg.  She graduated from South Sioux City High School in 1951.  Bernice married Donald Arthur Ballantyne on March 5, 1960. She had three children, Doris, Terry, and Donnice, and one stepdaughter, Lynne. Donald preceded Bernice in death on May 10, 1996.

In addition to spending time with her family, Bernice had many hobbies and interests. Bernice was a great bowler; her high series was a 677. One of her proudest accomplishments was that in her participation in the Big Bowl, she lost to her opponent, who was a professional bowler, in the last match, earning second place overall. Bernice worked at bowling alleys, starting at Sioux Village, for over 30 years. She was the assistant manager for over 18 years at KD Bowl and Plaza Bowl. She enjoyed playing poker machines, rummaging, embroidering, boating, fishing, (winning) bingo at Good Samaritan, and playing cards with her family, and she was a dedicated Husker football fan. She was known for her rag rugs and gifting them to her friends and family. Bernice loved her dog, Smokey, and more recently while in the nursing home, she enjoyed watching and taking care of the courtyard squirrels.

Bernice was very proud of her children and what they became.  She loved all her grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great grandkids, and all of her siblings and their families.

Survivors include her children: Donnice Evelyne (Mark) Susemihl of Merrill, IA and their daughter Kelli Susemihl; Terry Ray (Mary) Ballantyne of Sioux City and their children: Shannon (Felisha) Ballantyne and their children Bradyn and Jakobi, Renee DeKok and her children Brock and Myka, Carie Cornell, Nolan (Jane) Cornell and their children Jackson and Leo, and Aaron Ballantyne; Doris Jean (David) McLaughlin of Las Vegas, NV and their children: Robert (Andrea) Corey and his son Tyler, John Corey Jr. and his children Johnathon, Summer, and Jordan, and Mellisa (Henry) Gibbs and her children: Wade (Jessica) and his children Paris and Ivori, Mariah (Mario) and her children Johnny, Madalynn, and Alayna, Maranda and her son Sean, and Amelia; stepson-in-law Andy Barner, step-grandson Brandon (Jennifer) Ballantyne and his daughter Alexus and her children Madelynne and Maxton; and sister Sherrie Starin.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Leoma Kellogg, brother Earl Jr. (Eilene) Kellogg, sisters Lucille (Fred) Knutson and Judy (Terry) Tighe, brother-in-law Adam Starin, husband Donald Ballantyne, stepdaughter Lynne Barner, and grandson Bryan Ballantyne.