Jay Michael Balek (1984-2009)

BALEK, PIXLEY, SEMLER

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/26/2009 at 13:06:55

THE STORY CITY HERALD, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, May 13, 2009.

Jay Michael Balek, 24, Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Sunday morning, April 26, 2009 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, after a brave battle with brain cancer.

A celebration of life service was held Thursday, April 30, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, Iowa, with Rev. James Magelssen officiating. Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapels were in charge of arrangements. Burial took place at Elmwood - St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials were directed to the Jay Balek Memorial Fund.

Jay was born on June 13, 1984, in Mason City, Iowa, the son of Larry and Sue (Pixley) Balek. He was a 2003 graduate of Mason City High School and graduated from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, in 2007.

Jay married the love of his life, Lauren Semler, on July 21, 2007 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mason City. They made their home in Cedar Falls, where Jay was employed by Mudd Advertising.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Lauren, Cedar Falls; his parents Larry and Sue Balek and brother, Jeff Balek, Mason City; paternal grandmother Lucille Balek, Mason City; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Craig and Mary Lou Semler and brother-in-law Scot Semler, Hampton; countless friends from near and far; and his beloved black lab, Ruby.

Jay was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Merrill Balek; maternal grandparents, Robert and Verna Mae Pixley; and Lauren's grandparents, Dr. Charles E. and Vera L. Semler, of Story City.