Mary Lou Balcom, 87, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Thursday, June 17, 2021 at her home under hospice care in rural Mitchell. A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 23, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Mary Lou was born February 8, 1934 to Charles H. Mordhorst and Anna Marie Kirsch in Kyle, SD. The family moved to Rapid City later in 1934. She attended the Red Brick Elementary school and graduated from Rapid City High School in 1952.
She married Charles H. Balcom May 30, 1951. They celebrated 70 years of marriage on May 30, 2021. The couple have 5 children. Together they lived in Rapid City, Vermillion, Rossford (Ohio) and moved to Mitchell in 1960 where they owned and operated Mitchell Motor Company.
Mary Lou was a homemaker while raising their children and then was a realtor in Mitchell for 10 years. She was active in the Mitchell 1st Baptist Church, YWCA and helped start the Meals-On-Wheels program in Mitchell. Mary Lou also was a leader of Cub Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts. She was a member of Rosedale Community Club, Garden Club, and the Modern Mrs. Extension Club that evolved into a Craft Club. In her senior years Mary Lou was an active member of the Ethan United Methodist Church.
Mary Lou was an avid backpacker in the mountain west, a Missouri river walleye fisherman, worked a large garden, and enjoyed camping and fishing for 4 winters in Port Aransas, TX.
Mary Lou’s greatest passion was her everyday walk with God plus her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was always ready with outstretched arms to hold a baby. She was very caring as evidenced by giving one kidney to her sister, Myrna.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Balcom; her sons: John (Peggy Wessel) of Florence, OR; Scott (Kathy Lyman) of Mitchell, SD; her daughters: Cynthia (Bruce) Morgan of Rapid City; Sheryl (Charles) Miech of Evansville, WY; Jody (Terry) Hall of Rapid City. She has fourteen grandchildren, and 32 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her Mordhorst siblings: Robert, Dale, and Chuck Mordhorst.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Victor and Mem Mordhorst, and four sisters: Jeanette Lindquist, Betty Grube, Doris Shaub, and Myrna Burns.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials are directed to the Mitchell Safe House.