1920 – Leona Morris – 2017
Leona was born September 5, 1920, in Clear Lake, South Dakota, to Edward W. and Sadie Mitchell DeVine. She moved to Slayton, Minnesota, while still in high school, and married Alvin B. Ball there on June 10, 1945. Leona helped Alvin in his glass shop, which later became Mid-West Supply Co. She and Alvin brought four Sudanese young men into their home for education in order to return in leadership to their people. Alvin died in 1967. She also taught and counseled in Murray County Schools, earning an M.A. in guidance and counseling from West Virginia University. She moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, in 1975, where she worked as a drug and employment counselor, and volunteered at the local jail and hospice. Leona married Verno Palm of Grants Pass, Oregon, on January 1, 1987. Verno died May 9, 1995. Leona then married Clyde Morris of Corpus Christi, Texas, on June 17, 1998. Clyde died on September 24, 2004. Leona died June 17, 2017, at Elim Nursing Home in Fargo, North Dakota, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease at the age of 97.
Surviving Leona are son Jerry (Jolene) Ball, Mapleton, Minnesota; daughter Debra (Gary) Ball-Kilbourne, Fargo, North Dakota; brothers: Lyle (Bonnie) DeVine, Laguna Woods, California, Donald (Dorothy) DeVine, Broomfield, Colorado, and Edward DeVine, Slayton, Minnesota; son-in-law Bill Dochnahl, Pendleton, Oregon; grandchildren: Jerry Ball, Jr., Mankato, Minnesota, Melody (Chris) Hurley, Helena, Montana, Matthew (Heidi) Ball-Kilbourne, Casselton, North Dakota, and Zachary Ball-Kilbourne, Minot, North Dakota; step-grandson Dustin Hardy, Wisconsin; and great grandchildren: Chloe Ball-Kilbourne, Jordan Ball-Kilbourne, Grayson Ball-Kilbourne, Luke Hurley, and Jewel Hurley. Preceding Leona in death were parents Edward and Sadie DeVine; sisters: Ruth DeVine and Leola Stewart; brothers: Merle DeVine and Earl DeVine; daughter Lynn Dochnahl; and grandson Harvey Ball.
Graveside Services will take place August 5, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorials are welcome to “African Soul, American Heart,” 300 NP Ave., Fargo, ND 58102. West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center westfuneralhome.com
