Randi Baloun

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Randi Faye Baloun, 65, of Highmore, passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at the Huron Regional Medical Center in Huron surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 30, 2018 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore with Rev. Sara C. Kayer officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore.

Randi was born February 12, 1953, to Melvin and LaVonne Baloun, in Faulkton, South Dakota. Randi was raised and grew up in north Hyde County, South Dakota, a 4^th generation farmer and rancher. After graduating high school in 1971, he continued to farm and ranch, raising grains, cattle, buffalo, and 1,000’s of sheep as well as making the time to drive 25 miles almost nightly to see the love of his life, LeAnn Leesman. He married his soulmate on April 6, 1974, they continued to farm and raise their three children: Natasha, Brandon, and Dillon. Together the five of them planted and grew many spruce trees, pheasants, a garden he planted and weeded, and was always in the way when it came to canning time! Making up his own recipes and adding his own version of spices and other ingredients.

Being a Bohemian and staunch Republican, he watched Fox News, despised Obama, and wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion on whatever subject!!

Fall being his favorite time of the year, he loved watching the leaves turn color, growing and buying pickup loads of pumpkins, hunting, and fishing.

He was a hardworking, loving dad; instilling those traits to his children, watching them grow and raise their families. Seeing his families amazing accomplishments was an important part of his life and he enjoyed every minute of it, he truly loved his family.

However, the best job he had was being GRANDPA RANDI, he absolutely loved his special little girls and boys. They could do no wrong in his eyes. He was always waiting for their visits or the times when he could “snag” them to come stay overnight. The highlight of most visits was when Brooklyn and Jada would drive him around the farm in his 4-wheeler mule.

He continued to “pull strings” as they called it, to get to come stay more often. As Brooklyn said, the night he passed away, “Grandpa pulled strings again, we don’t have to go to school tomorrow!”

Grateful for having shared in his life is his loving wife of 44 years, LeAnn; son: Brandon (special friend, Mandie Weber) and children: Whitley and Wesley; son, Dillon (Nikki) and their children: Brooklyn, Jada, and name sake, Bristol Faye; sisters-in-law: Anita (Frank) Baca, Mary Jo (Jeff) Shannon, Barb Leesman, and Mary Leesman; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and LaVonne Baloun; parents-in-law, Willie and Lorena Leesman; brothers-in-law, Rick and Terry Leesman; and nephew, Wrangler Leesman.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Randi's arrangements.