Paul L. Ballert, age 74 of Lead, SD went to rest with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 16th, 2017 at Rapid City Regional Hospital, with his family surrounding him.


Paul was born on July 29th, 1942 in Toledo, Ohio to Paul and Rosemary Ballert of Temperance, Michigan. He went to Bedford High School and graduated in 1961. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving eight years in Guam, England, Florida, Ellsworth Air Force Base, and two tours in the Vietnam War. After his service, he met the love of his life, Delores Arens, of Orient, SD. On June 10th, 1972, they married, and from this union came four children. He was a proud employee of the Homestake Mining Company in Lead, where he worked for 28 years and was a member of the United States Steel Workers Union. After his employment at Homestake, he chose to follow one of his passions and became a Semi-Truck Driver, where he traveled all across the country. He then worked with Delores at Bourbon Street Casino in Deadwood until he was able to retire. Paul was an active parishioner at St. Patrick Church in Lead since 1974.


Paul was wonderful with children, always pretending to be the boogey man and tickling them to fill the room with laughter. He was never in too much of a hurry to tell a story or a joke. In 2006, he started building a garage and continued doing his favorite hobby, "Making Sawdust." Paul was very fond of polishing rocks, and he loved receiving rocks from all of his grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of solving cryptograms and playing Tetris and solitaire. His favorite accomplishments were marrying his soulmate, fathering four children, and being an amazing grandfather to his eight grandchildren and his two great-grandchildren.


Paul is survived by his wife of 44 years, Delores; his two sisters, Mary (Pat) Benner of Delta, Ohio, and Sandy Simon of Sylvania, Ohio; his four children, John Ballert of Yankton, Karen Ballert (Craig Crowell) of Lead, Veronica (Jason) LaFayette of Belle Fourche, and Kevin (Christy) Ballert of Spearfish; his eight grandchildren, Taylor (Asia) Ballert, Colten Ballert, Kloey Ballert, Jack Ballert, Tate LaFayette, Rose LaFayette, Bryn LaFayette, Annabell Ballert, and a grandson on the way; and his two great-granddaughters, Emma and Kinsley Ballert, and another great-grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Cliff and Mike.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at St. Patrick Catholic Church with the Vigil starting at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 21. Interment with military honors will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will take place at the VFW in Deadwood at 1:00 PM, following the interment. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead.