Funeral services for Mary L. Ballantyne, 83, of Aurelia, will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, July 28, 2012, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia, with Pastor Larry Lemke officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Aurelia. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church. A memorial fund has been established. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Louise Peterson was born May 2, 1929, the daughter of Martin and Effie (Snow) Peterson at Yankton, SD. She was educated in the Pocahontas area grade schools, later moving to the Aurelia area where she attended the Aurelia High School, graduating in 1947.

She was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church. She was confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee in 1943.

On December 10, 1949 Mary married Howard Ballantyne at Jackson, MN. God blessed them with seven children.

Mary died Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at her home in Aurelia.

Preceding Mary in death were her mother and stepfather, Effie and Loral Whisler, two granddaughters, Nicole and Megan Ballantyne, and one great-grandson, Logan Rivers.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Howard Ballantyne of Aurelia, five daughters and two sons, Carol Coombs and Scott Friedrich of Alta, Connie and Gary Ludwig of Kissimmee, FL, Cathy and Terry Coombs of Aurelia, Carla and Tom Jones of Aurelia, Craig and Carol Ballantyne of Aurelia, Cindy and Doug Cannon of Meridian, ID, Chris and Shelley Ballantyne of Aurelia. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, two sisters, Iva and husband Dale Julius of Meriden, and Linda and husband Willy Rohlfs of Palmer, nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.