Kathleen "Kathy" Ford Baltzell

Augusta, GA - Kathleen “Kathy” Baltzell, 96, passed away peacefully at home on August 22, 2024. 

She was born in rural South Dakota to Alberta and Simon Ford. She graduated valedictorian in 1943 from Onaka High School in Onaka, South Dakota, and as a young woman became a member of the last class of the Army’s Cadet Nurse Program and graduated as an RN in 1948.

Kathleen married Lowell Baltzell in 1948. In 1950, he was called to activate duty in the South Dakota National Guards for the Korean War, beginning their commitment to military life for over 30 years.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Lt. Colonel Lowell Baltzell, parents Alberta and Simon Ford, one brother Robert Ford, and two sisters baby Edna Ford and Dorothy Jenson.

She is survived by five children, four daughters and one son; Linda Wright, Michael Baltzell, Cheri McEneaney (John), Amy Patrick and Mary Kay Baltzell and six grandchildren; Matthew Baltzell, Lauren Sinnott (Michael), Alex Wright, Kathleen McEneaney, Anna Patrick, and Sarah McEneaney (Chuck). She recently experienced the joy of becoming a great grandmother to Eleanor Kathleen Sinnott.

Kathleen was an avid lover of games, especially bridge. She enjoyed the friendly competition and countless friends she made through playing the game regularly for over 70 years. She also enjoyed playing dominoes and Chinese checkers with her children and grandchildren and looked forward to an episode of Jeopardy and Family Feud every night.

A rosary will be held Thursday evening (8-29-24) at 5:30 PM and the family will receive friends following from 6:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, August 30, 3024 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church on Monte Sano Ave.

Kathleen will be buried alongside her husband, Lowell, at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2700 Deans Bridge Road, Augusta, GA 30906 in a ceremony immediately following the funeral service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to the Catholic Social Services at 3229 Wrightsboro Rd, Augusta, GA 30909 or Golden Harvest Food Bank in Augusta at 3310 Commerce Drive, Augusta, GA 30909.