Larned – Ida Neill Boitnott Browne Balman, 86, the daughter of Gus and Bassil Edwards Boitnott, left us on Sunday, February 26, 2006.

Neill was born August 15, 1919 in Caldwell County, Kentucky, and moved with her family to Pawnee County, Kansas in 1927. She graduated from Larned High School in 1937, and attended business school in Wichita.

In 1941, she married Richard C. Browne of Burdett. He was killed in action in France in 1944 during WW II. On April 30, 1948, she married John A. Balman of Rozel.

John & Neill farmed north of Rozel until early 1958 when they moved to the Browne farm north of Burdett. After John died March 23, 1973, Neill moved to Larned. She was employed at the Larned State Hospital as a secretary, retiring in 1982. She was a past member of the Larned Saddle Club, Fort Larned Sweet Adelines, and the Kansas Arabian Horse Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, and a sister, Velma Greet.

She is survived by her son, Michael C. Browne and wife Diane of Irrigon, Oregon; daughters, Kathryn N. Browne, Los Angeles, California, Mary B. Gargas and husband Stanley, Glendale, Arizona, Nancy B. Barnes and husband Randy, Kinsley; grandchildren, Jordan Lee Browne and wife Judy, Los Angeles, California, Kale B. Gargas, Phoenix, Arizona, Tave Gargas Ochoa and husband Tommy, Phoenix, Arizona; and great-grandchildren, Erykah, Kareem, and Elijah Browne.

Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the Larned Cemetery with Rev. John Grummon presiding. Friends may sign the register from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and 9 a.m. until noon Wednesday, all at the mortuary. The casket will remain closed.

Memorials may be sent to the Pawnee County 4-H Foundation or the Donor's Choice both in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Inc., P.O. Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Condolences may be left and this notice viewed at www.beckwithmortuay.com.