Myrna Rae Ballain

Myrna Rae Ballain went to be with her Lord on Thursday, June 27, 2024. She was born on July 17, 1949, in Red Oak, Iowa, to parents Myron C. and Martha J. Ballain. 

Myrna grew up in Southwest Iowa and graduated from Nishna Valley High School near Emerson, Iowa, in 1967. She attended Immanuel Hospital of Nursing in Omaha, NE and graduated as a registered nurse in 1970. She then served in the U.S. Army for several years. After attending boot camp in Texas and an assignment in Colorado, she was sent to Walter Reed Hospital for the rest of her tour of duty and cared for wounded soldiers returning from Vietnam. She remained in Maryland after her time in the army and attended Washington Bible College, graduating in 1976 with a degree in teaching. During her time in Maryland, she was faithful in her local church, Adelphi Bible, Adelphi MD, and helped with Sunday School, Awana, and VBS. 

Myrna was interested in and felt a calling for missions and moved in that direction by going to Morocco, in 1976, to be a resident nurse at the Children’s Haven, a home for orphaned children. In addition to nursing, she served as a classroom teacher, parent, and “Jill of all trades”. She made herself available to Moroccan neighbors and friends who came with many and various medical needs. Her life was lived in service to her Lord and to the people around her. Her love of the Lord was shown in her devotion to duty, her desire to help people, and her steadfastness in the hardest of times. She retired from the Children’s Haven in 2022 after 46 years of service and returned to the United States, settling in Lynchburg, VA. She attended Berean Baptist Church, Lynchburg VA, where she continued to serve children by helping with Awana and VBS. 

One of the desires of Myrna’s heart was to have a daughter. God blessed her with four lovely Moroccan daughters: Karima, Marjana, Lamia, and Nassima. She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Karima (Keith) of Lynchburg, VA; Marjana of Surrey, B.C.; and Nassima of Victoria, BC.; as well as her beloved grandsons Maximus and Kanon Freeman. Other survivors include her brothers and their wives, Marlyn Ballain (Jean) of Lake Havasu City, AZ; Myron Ballain (Sandra) of Papillion, NE; Marty Ballain (Laurie) of Idaho Falls, ID; and David Ballain of Hermitage, TN; and sisters Marcia Kellison of Sun City West, AZ; and Marlene Fletcher and Linda Hollman, both of IA; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of dear friends around the world including her best and lifelong friend Mildred Schlosser (Allen) of Asheville, NC. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Myron C. and Martha J. Ballain and her daughter Lamia. 

Myrna ran the race with patience and was a good and faithful servant and friend. 

On Saturday, July 06, 2024, at 11AM EDT, a memorial service will be held at the Children’s Haven, Morocco, followed by a reception onsite. 

On Friday, July 12, 2024, at 10:30 CDT, a graveside service will be held at Emerson Cemetery, 58923 US-59, Emerson, IA followed by a reception at Indian Creek Historical Society & Museum, 59256 380th St, Hastings, IA 51540. 

On Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 3PM EDT, a celebration of life service will be held at Tree of Life Ministries, 2812 Greenview Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502, followed by a reception onsite. The service will be live streamed at www.tolm.net. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to the Children’s Haven, The Masters Mission, PO Box 547, Robbinsville, NC 28771 (828) 479-6873 or help a child in need in your community. 

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg VA and Loess Funeral Home, Malvern, IA are assisting the family.