Balk, Willard Louie 1945 - 2015
BALK, KACH, LEVERSON, MACKENBURG, OMAR
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/6/2015 at 10:34:34
Willard L. Balk, 69, of Cresco, IA passed away Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco, IA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2015, at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco, IA. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lime Springs, IA. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home, 404 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136 with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the time of service Thursday at the church.
On May 16, 1945, Willard Louie Balk was born in Cresco, IA to Louie and Dorothy “Mabel” (Kach) Balk. Willard was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cresco. He served as an altar boy and graduated from Notre Dame in 1963. As soon as he could, he started working for his dad in the construction business. On May 15, 1965, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Leverson. To this union, one son and two daughters were born. At the age of 22, Willard took over the family business, Louie Balk Lime & Ready Mix and served as president. After selling the business in 2013, he worked part time for Bruening Rock Products.
Willard was a volunteer fireman for 30 years and served as assistant chief and chief. He also served on the church board and currently was serving on the zoning board. Away from work, Willard enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, watching Nascar and late models, going to the farm to tinker in his shop, collecting antique toys and trucks, and spending many hours driving around town. He had an idea to donate some property the Balk family owned to the City of Cresco, now known as Balk Park. Willard was always one to lend a hand if he could, and he was proud of helping push the train from Calmar to Beadle Park in Cresco. He always had a smile on his face.
Willard is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Marilyn of Cresco; children, Brian (fiancé Nancy Melaas) Balk, Brenda Mackenburg, and Kris (Tom) Omar all of Cresco; grandchildren, Breanne Balk of Omaha, NE, Bethany Balk of Decorah, IA, Baylee Balk of Cresco, Alicia Mackenburg of Cresco, and Alex Mackenburg of Cresco; dachshund, Doogie Joe; brothers, Dale (Susie) Balk of New Braunfels, TX and Dean (Melodee) Balk of Cresco; mother-in-law, Donna Leverson of Lime Springs, IA; brother-in-law, Bruce (Amy) Leverson of Lime Springs, IA; and nephews and a niece.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Louie and Dorothy and father-in-law, Harold Leverson.
Source: Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home database
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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