Louis Balentine of Des Moines, Iowa, died peacefully on July 2, 2026, at the age of 79, leaving behind a family well-trained in laughing at his jokes, correcting his vocabulary, and forgiving him for both. Louis had a rare gift: he could walk into any room and, within minutes, be the reason everyone in it was either laughing or trying not to.

Louis was born on November 14, 1946, in Orange, Texas, a detail that never once slowed his march toward becoming a lifelong, thoroughly unreasonable University of Oklahoma Sooners fan.

In 1974, he married Ann, and the two spent the next 52 years proving that patience, devotion, and a good sense of humor can carry a marriage a very long way. Ann bore witness to one of Louis's most enduring talents: the confident, committed mispronunciation of ordinary words. "Dr Pepper" became "Dr Pecker" so many times, and with such conviction, that to this day no Balentine can order the soda without smiling.

Louis spent his career at the family business, Iowa Beauty Supply, where he was, by all accounts, more interested in the people walking through the door than the products on the shelves. He brought that same energy to the golf course, where he spent countless days with his friends — most of whom are still recovering from his running commentary on their swings.

He also had a more serious side, serving as President of the Temple Brotherhood, as Worshipful Master of Masonic Lodge #647 ancient craft, and on the board of Mentor Iowa — proof that a man capable of derailing an entire dinner table with a bad pun was equally capable of steering a serious organization.

Louis is survived by his son, Courtney, and his adored daughter and daughter-in-law, Heidi and Alexis; and his granddogs, Elwood, Max, and Biscuit, who will sorely miss the extra treats he was famous for sneaking them under the table.

He leaves behind a family that will spend the rest of their lives mispronouncing things on purpose, just to hear him laugh one more time.

His funeral is at 12:00 PM on Monday, July 6 at Temple B’nai Jeshurun, 5101 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312 with interment at Jewish Glendale Cemetery.

Arrangements through Iles Dunn's Chapel. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.