Grace Elizabeth (Kegley) Balback Smith

Grace Elizabeth (Kegley) Balback Smith, 91, of Glendive, died Saturday, February 25, 2006 at Glendive Extended Care. Grace was born on April 22, 1914 on a homestead 2 ½ miles north of Blue Mountain near Wibaux, Montana, the daughter of Joe and Stella (Conner) Kegley. She attended rural Wibaux County Schools, Dawson County High School and graduated from Wibaux County High School in 1934. After graduation, Grace worked for the WPA in Wibaux as a sewing supervisor. Grace married Marvin "Slim" Balback in Glendive on August 1, 1936 at the Methodist Church where she remained a member for over 70 years. She and Slim lived in the Glendive area and started a dairy farm and ranch operation raising registered Black Angus cattle. Grace enjoyed the country life of ranch work, working outdoors with livestock, haying and whatever needed to be done. Tragedy struck the family when Slim was killed in a construction accident in August of 1951. Times were difficult following Slim's death. Grace was a source of strength for her four children and continued to maintain the ranch operations while working a day job at a local Glendive Cafe and a night job with MDU in Glendive. On May 6, 1958 Grace and Roger Smith were married in Sidney, Montana. They made their home in Glendive on the ranch. While living on the ranch and raising her children, Grace was active in the 4-H program. Grace was a leader and organizer with a "can do" attitude. She managed the 4-H food booth at the Dawson County Fair for several years. Under Grace's guidance and leadership, the mortgage on the 4-H building was paid in full. Grace was an excellent cook and seamstress. She was active in leadership of the horse program and the home economics programs for her local neighborhood 4-H club. She loved horses and always had horses for her children to ride and enjoy. After the children were raised, always ready for a new challenge, she went to work in the medical records/billing department of the Glendive Community Hospital for the next eight years. Grace opened her home and boarded several college students from 1965 through 1968. She was always there to extend a helping hand to neighbor or stranger. She helped many people get a new start in life. Grace spent her free time involved in the chairs of the Order of Eastern Star to the position of Worthy Matron. In their retirement, Grace and Roger enjoyed touring the United States and Canada in their RV. They toured Europe and one of Grace's favorite trips was to Alaska. They also made several trips to Hawaii. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed visiting all her children on her way to and from her touring excursions. Grace would most want to be remembered as a good strong person, friend, mother, grandmother and a loving and devoted wife. We will miss you very much. Grace was preceded in death by Marvin "Slim" Balback; her parents, Joe and Stella Kegley; brothers, Joe "Butch" Kegley, Glenn Kegley, Harold "Buster" Kegley, Wayne Kegley, and John Kegley; three sisters, Mary Kegley Robson, Sudie Vernie Kegley, and Connie May Kegley. Survivors include her husband Roger Smith, three sons, Marvin "Korkie" (Joan) of Montana City, MT, George (Lynn) of Sheridan, WY, and Glade (Julie) of Billings, MT; one daughter, Darlene Hartze (Marvin) of Bozeman, MT; a step-daughter, Dawn Callen of Bloomfield, NM; two brothers, Don Kegley (Beverly) of Everett, WA, Melvin (Betty) Kegley of Billings, MT; three sisters, Irene Koffler of Billings, Hazel Rogers (Harvey) of Glendive, Bonnie Brietbach of Circle, MT, and sister-in-law, Agnes Kegley of Glendive; 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, with the 17th great grandchild to be born on April 22; and one great, great granddaughter, numerous nieces and nephews, and two first cousins, Joyce Pfaff of Portland, OR and Marie Hennen of Yuma, AZ. A Memory Service will be held at 6:30 P.M., Wednesday, March 1, 2006 in the Chapel of the Silvemale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, March 2, 2006 at the United Methodist Church of Glendive with Pastor T. C. Chatman officiating. Interment will be in the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive.

Grace Elizabeth (Kegley) Balback Smith

April 22, 1914 - March 2, 2006

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Grace Elizabeth (Kegley) Balback Smith

April 22, 1914 - March 2, 2006

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support