Darwin D. Baloun

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Darwin Baloun, 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 12, 2025, with his family at his side.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 24, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore, with Father John Short, celebrant.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Highmore.  A visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by a 7:00 p.m. wake service on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the church.

Darwin was born on December 4, 1933, to Raymond and Alice (Ellenbecker) Baloun in Highmore, SD. He grew up with farming in his blood and had a lifelong love for it. He excelled in school and played trombone in High School. He spoke of the many miles either walking or riding their horse, Sandy, to country school every day. Even at a young age, he would wait at the door to go outside and work with his dad.

After attending South Dakota State University for one year, he continued his education in Missouri to achieve his diesel mechanics degree. After seeing Sharon Brady as the Homecoming Queen in 1957, he told his sister, “I’m going to marry her someday.” In 1958, he married Sharon, to whom four children were born: Kim, Kevin, Kip, and Katina. They lived on his Dad’s farm after they were married, and then moved west of Highmore in 1964, and continued his long life and passion for farming on his farm.

Darwin built one of the first self contained farrow to finish hog confinement buildings in the state of South Dakota. He also raised cattle and sheep for many years until he decided to concentrate on farming only.

Darwin was always innovative and looking for new opportunities, and always did it on a big scale. His mind was always working, figuring and calculating acres and bushels to do better and bigger each year. His CB radio, and then later his cell phone, always held a tight grip in his hand as he was making calls all day. And we all know if you didn’t answer on the first try, he would continue to call until you did! He was large on tenacity and short on patience, as he was constantly thinking ahead. He never stopped learning, innovating, or finding new ways to work faster, harder, and smarter, and you’d better be quick to keep up with him or he’d let you know by saying, “this is no time for jokes.”

Darwin shared his special birthday with his son, Kevin, who was also born on December 4th in 1960, and then again when his grandson, Jace, was born on the same day. A special three generation celebration.

Although he had no time or desire for hobbies, anyone who knew him knew the passion he held for America and his Trump for President crusade. Darwin stayed up til 4 am to celebrate the first election and also had the opportunity to see Trump in person, eight feet away, front and center row, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center with Kim and Kevin. He was so excited and never quit advocating for Trump’s philosophy, and may have had a lot in common with him. The only station his television was on was KELO news at 10 pm to check the weather and FOX News the rest of the time.

He did travel with family and friends for quick getaways to Las Vegas, Nashville, Hawaii, California, Arizona, and even to Australia. Another highlight was taking his entire family to the Super Bowl in Phoenix.

Darwin is survived by his four children: Kim, Kevin (Cindy), Kip (Laura), and Katina (Robert); 10 grandchildren: Blayne (Laura), Jayme, Kara, Jace; Kyle, Ashley (Benji), Connor; Jaxson, Jett and Jagger; two great grandchildren, Brecken and Brayden; one brother, Richard (Carol), and three sisters: Virginia, Donna Jean (Arnie), and Carol Ann; and many nephews, nieces and friends.

Darwin was preceded in death by his ex-wife, Sharon Baloun; his parents, Raymond and Alice Baloun; brother, Burton Baloun; brothers-in-law, Dick Myler and Robert Wieseler; his nephew and niece; a great nephew and niece, and many endearing aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Darwin’s passion for farming and work ethic was like no other, and we will think of him with each day’s weather report, the grain and corn prices, the amber wheat fields, and the rolling acres of crops each year.

We know he would want to keep this short, as it’s time to get back to work, and I know that is what he is already doing right now.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Darwin’s arrangements.