HOT SPRINGS - Ruth "Nancy" Baldwin, of Hot Springs S.D., died June 28, 2009 at the Dorsett Regional Senior Care in Spearfish, S.D. She was 86 years old. She now resides in Heaven.

Nancy was born April 11, 1923 to Byers and Celia (Brimmer) Reed in Huron, S.D. Beginning the third grade, she moved to Pierre, S.D. She then moved to Hot Springs her Junior year of high school and to Lead, S.D., where she graduated in 1941. Her mother was divorced in 1940 and she married Don DuBois of Pierre. In December of 1941, World War II began and Nancy worked as a secretary at the Black Hills Ordnance Depot in Igloo, S.D. She later transferred to Lowry Air Force Base Gunnery School in Denver, until she retired and married William J. Baldwin of Lead in 1944. William "Bill" Baldwin had served three years in the South Pacific as a Combat Engineer. Bill and Nancy were married for fifty eight years. Bill Baldwin attended college at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D., and went on to receive his Masters Degree in Education at the University of Wyoming where Nancy worked as a secretary in the property section of the college. Bill's work took them to Bison, S.D., as Superintendent of the school and Nancy worked at Farmer's Home Insurance. They moved to Rapid City, S.D., for seven years where Bill worked for the Douglas School System at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He then became Principal of the high school at Hot Springs in 1965 until his retirement.

Nancy enjoyed music of all kinds, singing and dancing. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Rapid City and she volunteered for the Red Cross Gray Ladies. She was a past member of the Traveler's Club in Hot Springs. Nancy worked part time for the Job Service Office for two years in Hot Springs. She was an active member of the Assembly of God Church when Pastor Dahlberg was minister.

Nancy is survived by three wonderful sons, Jan William Baldwin and wife Teri of Roswell, Ga.; Alan Baldwin and wife Barbara of Savage, Minn.; and Brad Baldwin and wife Debra of Gypsum, Colo. She had ten grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Nancy is also survived by her stepbrother, Jerry Mathews; extended family members, Sally Seward, Johanna Mathews, Daleine (Burleson) Cameron and Linda Baldwin as well as many special friends. Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband William J. Baldwin and her parents.

Graveside services will be held 11 a.m., Monday, August 31, 2009 at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D., with Pastor Peter Dahlberg officiating. A memorial has been established in Nancy's name to benefit the Boy Scouts of America in Hot Springs. Contributions can be mailed to Boy Scouts of America, Troop 23, c/o Billy Beeman, 1513 Evans Street, Hot Springs, SD 57747. Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapels of the Hills in Hot Springs, S.D. Condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com or mailed to the family at P.O. Box 1421 Eagle, CO 81631.