HURON — C. Douglas Balvin, age 82, of Huron, passed away Monday, November 11, 2024, at the S.D. Human Services Center in Yankton.
His funeral service is 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 25, at First Presbyterian Church in Huron. Visitation, with his family present,is from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, at Welter Funeral Home; or one hour prior to the service on Monday morning.
Charles Douglas Balvin was born on September 28, 1942, in Huron, one of three children of Charles and Ruth (Hutchinson) Balvin. He grew up on his parents’ farm about three miles from Wolsey and attended Wolsey Schools. After graduating from Wolsey High School in 1960, Doug attended the University of South Dakota. He enrolled in the business school and graduated with an accounting degree. During college, and over summer breaks, Doug worked as a plumber for Lawson Plumbing in Huron.
On September 10, 1961, Doug married his high school sweetheart, Marlas Menning. The young couple lived in Vermillion for three years while Doug completed college. They welcomed their first child, Kristi Kay, in Vermillion 1963.
After college, Doug and Marlas moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and he worked for a Big 8 accounting firm, Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co.
In December 1965, the couple moved to Huron and welcomed their son, Dale Douglas, in 1966. After returning to South Dakota, Doug worked at the accounting firm Johnson West & Co., before moving to Pierre.
In Pierre, Doug worked at Wohlenberg & Gage before moving back to Huron in 1973 and becoming a partner with the firm. The firm eventually became Balvin Harrington & Co. in 1982. In 1988 Doug completely changed his career to banking and worked for the Christen Group, where he served as a Director and Officer for the company and its subsidiaries. He worked with the Christen Group for the remainder of his career from 1988 to 2022.
To say that Doug loved the community of Huron would be an understatement. He served in several roles in the community such as director for the following: James Valley Housing, Huron Regional Medical Center, Huron University Foundation, Huron Chamber of Commerce and the Broadland Creek Golf Commission, and was also part of the Greater Huron Development Corporation.
Doug served as the finance chairman for the National High School Rodeo Association and Little Britches Rodeo. He served as the President of Sertoma and was a lifetime member of Sertoma, as well as a lifetime member of the Elks. He dedicated his time to the South Dakota Investment Council and the South Dakota Community Foundation. He was also involved with the new DEX building. Finally, probably his most prestigious role was serving as an officer of the Zesto Ice Cream Shop.
Doug and Marlas were members of First Presbyterian Church for 57 years and Doug also served as Deacon for several years. Marlas and Doug are now both in heaven and looking down on us all.
Doug is survived by his daughter, Kristi (Dewey) Perrin of Huron; his son, Dale Balvin of Scottsdale, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Trevor Balvin of Scottsdale, Tracee (Will) Denton of Gilbert, Ariz., and Todd Balvin of Tempe, Ariz.; three great-grandchildren, Emree, Adeline and James Denton; a sister Virginia Gravelle of Sioux Falls; several nieces and nephews; and family friends Paul Christen and Dr. Bob Hohm.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Marlas; parents, Charlie and Ruth, daughter-in-law Jamee Balvin; his sister, Nancy Balvin; and a brother-in-law, Roger Gravelle.
www.welterfuneralhome.com
