Balik, Robert Joseph -- 1919 - 2001

KLIMESH, BALIK, BOUSKA, LOWE, BERNATZ, CARNEY, EBERT, BROM

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 8/15/2010 at 19:30:15

Decorah Journal, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001

Robert "Bob" Joseph Balik

Robert Balik, 81, of Spillville, died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2001 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

A Mass of Christian Burial service will be held today (Thursday) Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, with Rev. Donald Hawes officiating.

Music will be provided by organist Doris Thompson and soloist Dan Silhacek.

Casket bearers are Robert Balik, Tony Balik, Jerry Balik, David Balik, Mark Balik and Steve Balik.

Interment will be at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, with arrangements by Balik Funeral Home in Spillville.

Robert "Bob" Joseph Balik was born March 22, 1919, in SpilIville, the son of Anton and Margaret (Klimesh) Balik.

He attended St. Wenceslaus School and Rudolphinum High School in Protivin, graduating in 1937.

He attended Hohenschuh-Carpenter College of Embalming in St. Louis in 1938, and for 50 years operated Balik Funeral Home.

Bob Balik served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and worked as a clerk in the Spillville Post Office. In 1950 he was appointed Postmaster, retiring in 1987.

He also operated a plumbing and heating business in Spillville for many years.

Bob was a member of St. Wenceslaus Church, S.H.A.G., C.I.A., South Winn School Board, National League of Postmasters, Charter member of South Winn Golf Course, Catholic Workman Branch #33 of Spillville and the Protivin Knights of Columbus.

He enjoyed working with wood, making many clocks over the years. Other interests were fishing, playing cards, traveling, golfing, the Cubs, auctions and grocery shopping. He will most notably be remembered by many for his signature dried apples.

Bob Balik married Helen Bouska April 16, 1941 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Balik of Spillville; five daughters: Kay Lowe of Conyers, Ga.; Joan Balik of Denver, Colo., Ruth and Tom Bernatz of New Hampton; Mary Balik of New Orleans, La.; and Lynn Balik of Alleman, Iowa; six sons: Robert and Cathy Balik of Kalamazoo, Mi.; Tony and Jane Balik of Marshalltown; Jerry Balik of Spillville; David and Deb Balik of Marion; Mark and Amy Balik of Spillville and Steve and Terri Balik of Spillville; 22 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Robert "Bob" Joseph Balik was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters: Viola Carney, Irma Ebert, Margaret, Mildred and Marcella Balik and Dolores Brom, and one brother, Stanley Balik.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.