Katy Ballantyne

Katy A. Ballantyne was born January 16, 1924, the daughter of Jacob and Jennie (Bimberg) Juusola in Menagha, Minnesota. Katy was united in marriage to Wayne E. Blum, Sr on October 5, 1940. Following Wayne's death in 1966, she married Glenn R.. Ballantyne on September 11, 1968 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The couple made their home in Spirit Lake, where they owned and operated Balantine Jewelry. Katy was a member of the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake, where she was active as a Sunday School Teacher. She was also a member of the Rebecca Lodge, serving as Grand Noble in 1964, and the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time with family, camping, boating and fishing. Katy passed away Thursday, January 22, 2008 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa at eighty-five years of age. She is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Markley, and her husband, Jerry, Sr. of Spencer, Iowa, sons, Steven Blum and his wife Wendy of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota and Ken Blum of Spirit Lake; step-son, Edwin Ballantyne of Clearwater, Florida. Also surviving are grandchildren, Butch Markley, Wayne Markley, Dr. Steven Blum, Jr., Ken Blum, Jr., Katy Blum and James Blum; sister-in-law, Arlene Juusola; seven great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces and other family. Preceding her in death are her husbands, Wayne E. Blum, Sr. and Glenn R. Ballantyne; son, Wayne "Butch" Blum, Jr., granddaughters, Sheila Markley and Renea Blum, three brothers and one sister.