Mary Ballard "Donna" Ham

1920 - 2015

An anchor in our lives is at peace. Mary "Donna" Ballard Ham, 94, passed away Friday, March 6, 2015, at the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood, South Dakota.
Donna was born May 15, 1920, in Benson, Utah, to Melvin J. and Audria M. Ballard. She attended Benson Elementary, Smithfield Junior High, Smithfield, Utah, and North Cache High School. After graduating from high school, she completed her home economics education degree from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Her adventurous spirit led her to a variety of work experiences from a personal cook in Yellowstone to riding a bus to Hot Springs, South Dakota, for her first job as a home economics agent in Pennington County. At this job, right after the war, she met and married A. Carl Ham on Dec. 15, 1946.
Donna and Carl moved to Caputa, SD soon after their marriage and raised nine children on the family ranch. The surviving children are Julie (James) Holland, Los Angeles, CA, Barbara Ham, Balston Spa, NY, Marlys (John) Westra, Boise, ID, Lyle Ham, Colburg, OR, Denise (Jay) Johnson, Gilbert, AZ, Dennis (Santina) Ham, Louisville, KY, Keith (Linda) Ham, Caputa, SD, Kevin (Rene) Ham, Rapid City, SD; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ruth Dance, Logan.
Her home economics degree served her well throughout her life. Her hard work was evident in her home, garden, family and community. Donna was active and held numerous leadership positions in the Caputa 4-H Club, Caputa Home Economics Extension Club, Cowbells, United Methodist Church in Caputa and Rapid City, The United Way, Rapid City Regional Hospital Volunteer, and substitute teacher in the Rapid City School District. She was honored by her neighbors when she received "The Good Neighbor Award."
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl Ham; son, Melvin; one sister, Nadine Richards, Riverside, Utah; and brother, Landell Ballard, Benson.
A celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Rapid Valley United Methodist Church, 5103 Longview Drive, with Rev. Gary Walters officiating. A private family burial will be held on Friday, March 13, at Mt. View Cemetery in Rapid City, South Dakota.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the New Underwood Good Samaritan Center or the Caputa Community Center. Cards may be sent to Keith Ham at PO Box 18, Caputa, SD 57725.
Family and friends may sign Donna's online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.