Joan Ballantyne

Joan Marilyn (Johnston) Ballantyne, 70, died October 8, 2014, at her home and with her husband at her side.The memorial service will be held Monday, October 13, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Valier, MT. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Sun River Cemetery, Sun River, MT. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Joan was born November 16, 1943, in Great Falls, Montana. She graduated from Fairfield High School and immediately went to work for Boeing at Malmstrom Air Force Base as a private secretary. She then went to work for City Motors in Great Falls and later for GTA Company in Great Falls. After moving to Valier with her family, she and her husband purchased the local newspaper and renamed it The Valierian. She became the publisher and editor for ten years, before selling it.Joans joys in life were her family and all her pets, including pet Hungarians, wild birds, dogs, cats, and horses. She was an excellent bridge player.Joan is survived by her husband, Norman Ballantyne of Valier; daughters Julie Baylor, (Trent Baylor, deceased) Seattle, WA and Jackie (Bryan) Jones, Conrad, MT; grandchildren, Vanessa Jones, Butte, MT, Travis Jones, Erica Jones (Tyler Nelson), Conrad, MT, Tyler Malek, Portland, OR, Kellen Malek, Seattle, WA, and Zachary Baylor, Seattle, WA; step-grandsons Nathan (Christina) Baylor, Seattle, WA, John (Noelle) Baylor, Seattle, WA, and Scott (Jessica) Baylor, Everett, WA; step-granddaughter Sarah (Aaron) Leonard, Bothell. WA; great-grandchild Kinsley Nelson; great step-grandchildren Jack, Alli, Kenzie, Titus, Trent and Peyton; brother Russ (Judy) Johnston, Missoula, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews.She is preceded in death by her parents, John Gib Johnston and Virginia Johnston.Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1627 W. Main Str., #295, Bozeman, MT 59715.