Dorothy A. (Johnson) Balander, 77, Lead, SD died Saturday December 25, 2010 at Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital.

Dorothy was born February 10, 1933 at Lead, Sd to Don and Fern (Gaughn) Johnson. She was raised in the Lead area, graduating from Lead High School. Her father Don passed away when Dorothy was young and her mother later married Don Van Leeuwen, who became her loving step-father. She later attended business college for a time, before working as a bank teller in Portland, OR. She then married Victor Balander in California, where they lived for several years while Victor served in the United States Navy. They later moved to Lead, where Victor worked for 23 years at Homestake Mining Company. Dorothy was a loving mother, a friend, confidant, and had a wonderful sense of humor; she had a smile for everyone because she wanted everyone to smile, she loved life and looked forward to each day that was given to her. Her family loves and misses her deeply.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters Vicki Balander of Lead, Jessica (Dustin Nickle) Balander of Rapid City, half brother Glen Van Leeuwen of Salt Lake City, UT. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, son Matthew Balander and husband Victor.

Memorial Services for Dorothy will be at 2:00 PM Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lead. Inurnment will follow at Mountain Lawn Cemetery near Lead.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel of Lead. Online condolences may be left at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com