DeVera (Smith) Baalman passed away peacefully of natural causes at her home in Cimarron, Kansas, at the age of 93, after a full and healthy life. DeVera was born in Bogue, Kansas on November 15, 1930, to Lee and Maggie Smith. The family moved to Hill City, Kansas where she attended and graduated from Hill City High School with the class of 1948. DeVera married Larry Baalman in Seguin, Kansas, December 5, 1948. Larry and DeVera had to follow a snowplow to and from Seguin on their wedding day. They made their home in Hoxie, Kansas. To this union four children were born.
The greatest joy in DeVera’s life was spending time with her family. She also loved caring for her lawn and garden. She was an avid reader and enjoyed reading historical fiction. It was not uncommon for her to read two or three novels a week. Devera was an excellent cook and baker. She lived her life to the fullest. She will be greatly missed but always remembered and loved.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry; parents, Lee, and Maggie Smith; and brother, Galen Smith.
Devera is survived by her daughters, Kristine Moss and husband Fred, Nancy Campbell and husband Michael, and Jean Dizmang and husband Rick; son, Lee Baalman, eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial is planned for Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 10:30 AM, at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, Kansas. Interment will follow the service in the St. Frances Cabrini Cemetery. Visitation and a Vigil with Rosary will be held at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. with Visitation beginning at 1:30 PM with family receiving friends from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The Vigil and Rosary will start at 7:00PM immediately following visitation. The family suggests memorials to the Sheridan County Library or the Cimarron Public Library and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. You may leave words of comfort and care at mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.