Michael David Balison, 51

Michael David Balison, 51, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, at the Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg, S.D., following a lengthy illness.

Michael was born Dec. 29, 1962, in Moab, Utah, to Dan Balison and Margaret Jane Reynolds Balison. He moved with his family to Carlin, Nev., and then to Plains, Mont., finally settling in Coeur d'Alene with his mother and younger brother when he was 12 years old. He attended Canfield Junior High, and graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1981.

In October 1985, Mike married his soulmate, Susan Scott. The couple had three children - Bryan, Dianna and Andrea. The family moved to the southeast South Dakota area in 1995, where Mike was a self-employed carpenter working in construction.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Dan; his brother, Terry Balison; and his best friend, Michael Palmer.

Mike will be deeply missed by his wife of 28 years, Susan, of Wakonda, S.D.; his three children, Bryan Balison (Rebecca) of Hurley, S.D., Dianna Engman (Brett) of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Andrea King (Rayne Adamson) of Sioux Falls; his seven grandchildren, Agustus, Grace, Marabel, Madeline, Samuel, Jacob, and Ryder; his mother, Margaret Redcrow; and siblings Laura Balison, Stanley Balison, and Peter Redcrow.

A memorial service was held Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at the Centerville American Legion in Centerville, S.D.