Nancy L. Balvin, age 86, of Huron and Sioux Falls, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron with burial to follow at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation, with her family present, will be from 5-7 p.m., on Monday, April 29, 2024 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron; or one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday morning. A Scripture Service and Rosary Service will begin at 6:30 on Monday evening at the funeral home.

View Nancy's Memorial Folder

Nancy Lou Balvin was born on June 4, 1937 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to parents Charles and Ruth (Hutchinson) Balvin. As a young child, the family moved to a farm near Wolsey where Nancy and her siblings grew up. She graduated from Wolsey High School in 1955.

Nancy knew she always wanted to become a nurse. She enrolled in St. John's Hospital nursing program, where she graduated with her registered nursing degree. She then attended South Dakota State University to get her baccalaureate degree as a nurse practitioner. Nancy received her nurse practitioner license in 1958 and was the first nurse practitioner in South Dakota. Nancy was working as an NP at the hospital when she heard about a new nurse practitioner/physician's assistant program being offered through the University of North Dakota. Nancy enrolled in the first class at UND. She graduated in October of 1975, took her required boards for nurse practitioner and physician assistant, and became the first nurse practitioner in South Dakota and the first female provider in Huron. Nancy practiced at Tschetter & Hohm Clinic and then with Dr. Mark Belyea. She practiced for 41 ½ years and retired in 2017 at the age of 80. Including her work as a nurse, Nancy was in the healthcare field for 59 years.

Nancy loved to see patients and to help others, but in her spare time, she enjoyed cooking and being with her beloved cats. After retirement, Nancy volunteered with the HRMC Auxiliary before moving to Sioux Falls in 2023.

She is survived by her siblings, Doug (Marlas) Balvin of Huron, and Virginia "Ginny" Gravelle of Sioux Falls; her nieces and nephews, Kristi Perrin, Dale Balvin, Roger Gravelle, Jr., Roxane Ensz, and Robin Gravelle; and several great-nieces and nephews; she also leaves her two special cats, Pepper and Peanut, and special friends "The Angels" from the Village in Sioux Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Ruth; and her brother-in-law, Roger Gravelle.

Memorials may be made in Nancy's honor to Holy Trinity Catholic Parish.