- Date Of Birth: November 21, 1928
- Date Of Death: March 31, 2012
- State: Florida
Bernadine (Beni) Mary Ballmes, 83, resident of Fort Walton Beach, passed away Saturday, March 31, 2012. Beni was born on November 21, 1928 to Margaret (Earhart) and Amore Ditter in Yakima, WA.
Beni received her early education mostly at boarding school where she got into a lot of mischief. If you’ve ever heard any of her stories about this time in her life, you surely got a good laugh out of it.
She received her college degree at Marylhurst University, in Marylhurst, OR. In later years she earned her Masters degree through Troy University in Pensacola. In Oregon, Beni met O’Dean (Stretch) Ballmes, and they were married on Dec. 27, 1952. Beni retired from Baptist Hospital, as a hematologist and instructor.
Beni was an avid bridge player and became a life master bridge player. She and Stretch donated a building to the Ft. Walton Beach Bridge Club. She was also a member of MENSA and SOAR, and an avid crossword puzzle player.
Beni is survived by her husband of 59 years, O’Dean Ballmes, 4 children, Gil H. Ballmes, Michael A. (Pia) Ballmes, Sydney F. (Ted) Werthmuller and M. Leslie (Art) Bethea. She was the proud grandmother of Stacey, Gil Jr, Simon, Sinclair, Mary and Ted.
