It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mark Kelly Ballance, beloved husband of Angela Terpsma, on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at the age of 71 years.

Mark was born on June 3, 1954 in Penticton, BC. He was the middle child of 7 siblings. The family moved to Cranbrook in 1962.

In 2004, Mark went in to a restaurant and laid his eyes on Angela and he knew from that very moment that she was the one. He even pointed her out to his son, Tyler, and told him it was a feeling he couldn’t explain, he just knew.  It was a different story for Angela… it wasn’t long after that, her repeat customer invited Angela to work in a camp with him as his second cook, and they have been together ever since, right until Mark’s final days – she was there to hold his hand.

Mark was a phenomenal cook, and took pride and simply enjoyed the act of cooking, and sharing his meals with close friends and family. He also enjoyed golf, reading, gardening, and some would say he was quite the poker player, enjoying his weekly tournaments with Angela right up to his final days.

Mark was predeceased by his parents Gordon and Kathleen; half-brothers Bryan and Graham; and his son Tyler.

He is survived and ever loved by his wife Angela; his children Amy, Andrea (Kyle), Curtis (Kay) and Jay (Lee); as well as his bonus daughter Courtney (Chris) and their children Curtis, Myranda (Logan), Xander and Jax, who he had a very special bond with. He will be sadly missed by his brothers Colin, Richard, Tim and Robert; and his sisters Susan and Sally; as well as his many grandchildren who will have to grow up without knowing his wonderful sense of humor.

His family will miss his fantastic memory. His siblings could spend an evening telling stories about growing up, but Mark would tell what really happened. Now there will be nobody to keep them in line.

Mark had many journeys in life, taking him to British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan – but BC was always his home. He and Angela relocated back to Cranbrook after living in the small village of Cadillac, SK (population: 92) and have been homesteading with Angela’s daughter, Courtney and family. He had a beautiful view of the mountains and fields to enjoy his final days.

Fly high, Mr. Mark

Love you forever, Banoonoo

Love ya babe, you will be missed.

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