Blong, Marie (Balk)1939 - 2022
BLONG, BALK, KISS, BURKE, PUFFER, MELCHER, NEWTON, POIRIER, SCHMELZER
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/28/2022 at 12:41:22
Marie Blong, age 83, of Fort Atkinson, IA, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 31, 2022, at the St. Luke’s Catholic Church- 215 East Main St. in St. Lucas, IA with Father Nick Radloff presiding. Burial will be in the St. Luke’s Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church Monday morning.
Marie was born August 2, 1939, at the hospital in New Hampton, to Herman and Madonna Balk, the fourth of nine children. She graduated from Waucoma High School. After graduation, Marie worked as a nanny for Matt & Sophie Blong of Waucoma, until her marriage. She met the love of her life, Irvin F. Blong of Fort Atkinson, at a dance in Lawler, IA. They were married on August 11, 1959, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma. They raised their five children and farmed together on the Blong family farm between St. Lucas and Fort Atkinson.
Marie enjoyed being a farm wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She enjoyed bowling, golf, trips to Texas during the winter months of their retirement, playing cards and spending time with her grandchildren. She was the secretary of her bowling league in New Hampton for many years. She served on many committees at South Winn Golf & Country Club and especially enjoyed participating in Ladies Day and the couples league. Irvin and Marie played in many couples golf tournaments with family and friends in their retirement. She was an excellent cook and made many delicious meals for holidays and family gatherings. Her home-made bread and pie crusts were exceptionally good! Marie was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. She belonged to the Rosary Society and was a member of the Catholic Foresters.
Marie will be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a fun-loving person who enjoyed playing games, especially with her grandkids, and she taught all of them how to play Yahtzee and various card games.
Marie is survived by her loving husband of 63 years Irvin Blong, four of her five children: Ron (Donna) Blong of Fort Atkinson, IA, Dave (Brenda) Blong of Chariton, IA, Karen (Jon) Kiss of Mason City, IA, Leon Blong of New Hampton, IA and son-in-law, Craig Burke of New Hampton, IA. Thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Two of her four sisters, Delores (Dennis) Puffer and Judy (Bill) Melcher and one of her four brothers, Charles (Diane) Balk, brother-in-law, Dave Baker and sisters-in law, Cathy Balk, Jeanne Balk and Janice Balk, many nieces, and nephews.
Marie was preceded in death by her daughter, Donna Burke of New Hampton, IA, her parents, Herman & Madonna Balk, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clement & Elizabeth Blong, siblings (spouses): Madonna Baker, Barbara (Bill) Newton, James Balk, Vern Balk and Mark Balk. Brother-in-law, Clem Blong, sisters-in-law Florence (Dan) Poirier, Rose Blong and Viola (Joe) Schmelzer.
Source: Helms Funeral Home database
St. Luke's Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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