Gretchen Lucile (Lilley) Balmer (1931)

BALMER, LILLEY, THOMPSON

Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 6/15/2006 at 14:18:50

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, May 28, 1931
Page 5

Gretchen Lucile Lilly

Gretchen Lucile Lilly, daughter of Harvey and Arie Lilly, was born in Peru, Iowa, October 8, 1903 and departed this life at Malad City, Idaho, May 22, 1931, aged 27 years, 7 months and 14 days.

Gretchen was graduated from the Peru high school in 1920, and taught in the rural schools of Madison county for two years. She had two years of special training at Des Moines University and one year in Cedar Falls, in Kindergarten work. She taught in the Valley Junction public schools for three years and one year in Ottumwa, Iowa. She was rated as one of the best kindergarten teachers in the Ottumwa schools.

In early girlhood she united with the Methodist church in Peru. She lived a consecrated Christian life. It was a habit to work in the church wherever she lived.

She was united in marriage to Virgil R. Balmer on April 18, 1930. They moved to Malad City, Idaho, where they made their home until the time of her death.

She leaves a six weeks old baby Beverly Ann, a husband, Virgil R. Balmer, a mother, Mrs. Arie Lilly, one sister, Mrs. Edith Thompson of Peru, and many relatives and friends.

Services were conducted from the Methodist church in Peru at 3:00 p. m. Monday by H. L. Olmstead, pastor of Winterset Church of Christ assisted by the Rev. Sands of the Peru Methodist church. Interment was in the Peru cemetery.
________________________

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, May 28, 1931
Page 6

Death of Gretchen Balmer

Mrs. Gretchen Balmer, a former resident of Peru, died at her home at Malad City, Idaho, May 22, at the age of 27 years. Mrs. Balmer who was the former Gretchen Lilly, had not been in good health since the birth of a daughter six weeks ago.

Mrs. Balmer was born in Peru, October 6, 1903. Harvey and Arle Lilly were her parents. She was graduated from the Peru high school in 1920 and taught in the Madison county rural schools for two years. She also attended Des Moines University and the Iowa State Teachers College, majoring in kindergarten work. Following this she taught in the Valley Junction and Ottumwa schools.

Her marriage to Virgil R. Balmer, was an event of April 18, 1930, and they moved to Malad City, Idaho, where they have since resided.

She leaves her daughter, Beverly Ann, a husband, Virgil R. Balmer, a mother, Mrs. Arle Lilly, and one sister, Mrs. Edith Thompson of Peru.

The body was brought back here, and funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church in Peru, Monday, at 3 o’clock by the Rev. H. L. Olmstead, pastor of the Winterset Church of Christ, and the Rev. Sands, of the Peru church. Burial was made in the Peru cemetery.
________________________

Coordinator's note: Transcribed as published, maiden name on gravestone is "Lilley".

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen