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Lorriane
Lorraine was born Theresa Lorraine Smith on April 20, 1929 at Valentine, to Clinton Smith and Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ (Howe) Smith. Being one of four girls in her class named Theresa, she made the decision to use her middle name most of the time. Lorraine was the middle child in her family, sister Elaine (Johnson) was older and brother Jim was her younger sibling. Lorraine enjoyed school; all of her many friends and their extracurricular activities. She actively participated in Badger Pep Club, Glee Club, Journalism staff, High School Annual staff and worked in the school office as a senior.
After graduation in 1947, Lorraine began work at the Cherry County judges office for judge C.H. Elliot where she met Nebraska State Patrolman, Marvin Hansen, whom she married September 1949. She worked there until Marvin’s untimely death in the line of duty in 1954, the day before his 29th birthday.
She became a bookkeeper for Clements Furniture store a few months later and met Ray Ballard in 1956. After a short, whirlwind courtship (since they loved to dance and enjoy the company of many friends) Lorraine married Ray later in 1956. She continued to work at Clements until two days before she gave birth to son Scott in 1957. She went back to bookkeeping work for Mullin Steele and Sporting Goods for over three years when she left to join the staff of ‘soon to be established’ KVSH Radio Station in Valentine, as office manager and bookkeeper from 1961 to 1979 when she retired to become a full-time ranch wife in Cherry County.
In 1986, Ray and Lorraine moved to Springview, where she went back to work outside the home at the Keya Paha County High School. She later accepted a position in the Keya Paha County Court House in the Clerk and Treasurers office and was appointed to fill out the remainder of the Clerk, Assessor and Clerk of the District Court officer’s position when her predecessor retired. She was elected to one more term for a total of six years in office. She then worked from home as dispatcher and bookkeeper for her and Ray’s trucking business until 2005. In addition to being a full-time homemaker, Lorraine worked 53 years supporting herself and her families.
Lorraine’s favorite song was Stardust and she loved and enjoyed music while dancing and playing cards with good friends and family. Lorraine was quite the bowler too, as she participated in the Women’s National Tournament in Denver, CO in 1960 which was great because she also loved to travel. She took trips with her loving sister Elaine to wonderful places like Hawaii, the Kentucky Derby and a history filled trip to Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area. She also loved to visit family which she loved unconditionally. Throughout her life she loved people and Husker Football and Volleyball, but maybe most of all, cooking and baking. She was a wonderful cook and many a good meal was eaten at Lorraine’s table. Lorraine was born with a huge heart that welcomed anyone in, not mattering if you had two legs or four. She passed away on May 9, 2022 at 93 years of age. She was preceded in death by her first love Marvin Hansen, Ray her husband of 60 years, sister Elaine (Elmer) Johnson and brother Jim (Betty) Smith.
She is survived by stepsons, Jim Ballard of Springview and Steve (Marie) Ballard of Beaverton, OR; son, Scott (MaryLynn) Ballard of O’Neill; grandchildren, Grant Ballard, Corrine (Kirk) Robinson, Tim Ballard, Chris (Tita) Ballard, Nichole (Mike) Wambsgans and Chally (Ryan) Cox; great grandchildren, Ava, Jack, Lynnae, Luci and Layne; and nieces, nephews, relatives and wonderful friends.
