Balk, Marie (Falada) 1930 - 2024

BALK, FALADA, SHILNEY, HENRY, GEHLING, BAKER, BOEHMLER, PAHL, RIVERA, STEFFANS, PHILLIPS, RAUSCH, PECINOVSKY, BODENSTEINER, HLUBEK, STEFFES, TURNER, REISNER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/2/2024 at 11:06:28

Marie Balk age 93, of Decorah, IA, passed away on Monday January 29, 2024, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at St. Benedict Catholic Church 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Waucoma.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m., until the time of service at the church on Thursday morning. The Helms Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Marie was born on March 21, 1930, to her parents John & Agnes (Shilney) Falada on the country farm near Spillville, IA. She was the first of three children. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville and received her grade school education at the St. Wenceslaus School. After school, she helped on the farm and babysat various families.

Marie married her husband, Anthony Balk, on October 4, 1948, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. They resided in St. Lucas and raised five children. Once her children got into school, she worked in the lunch program at St. Lukes school. She was a cook there for 14 years. Later they moved to Waucoma, IA. She continued working at a local restaurant as a cook and waitress. She helped at the local locker and was a babysitter for several families.

Grandma Marie especially loved spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She loved cooking and the family would be the first to say she was “the best cook ever”. She enjoyed fall when all family, friends, and neighbors would be invited for “turtle soup”. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, and canning. She loved to mow the lawn on the rider, dancing to polka music, crocheting, sewing, bingo, and especially playing cards.

Marie will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She touched many hearts with kindness and enjoyed life. Doing anything for her family was her pride and joy.

Marie is survived by her four children: Marian Henry, Decorah, IA; Ronald (Mary Lou) Balk, Denver, IA; Virginia (Larry) Gehling, Calmar, IA; Diane (Dennis) Baker, Calmar, IA. Daughter-in-law, Annette Balk, Hawkeye, IA. Nine grandchildren: Michael (Trisha Thein) Henry, Craig (Tricia) Henry, Steven (Jennifer) Henry, Christina (James) Boehmler, Daniel (Tandi) Balk, Nick (Aimee) Balk, William (Janice) Baker, David Baker, and Jewell (Jorge Rivera) Pahl, Calmar, IA. Great grandchildren: Anthony (Vanessa) Henry, Danielle (Mitchell) Steffans, Logan (Kayla Phillips) Henry, Mason (Abby) Henry, Blake (Maddy) Henry, Kollin Henry, Garrett Henry, Abbigale Boehmler, Ethan Boehmler, Lexi Balk, Jack Balk, Henry Balk, Madelynn Balk, Sarah (Brian) Rausch, Josiah (Anna) Baker, Kaylee Baker, Grace Baker, Jonathan Baker, Annabella Baker, Hannah Pahl, and Jordan Pahl. Great-great grandchildren: Jaylee Henry, Ryker Henry, Bentley Steffans, Addison Steffans, Nora Henry, Eden Henry, Raylyn Rausch, and Luka Rausch. Sister: Clara Pecinovsky, Elma, IA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Balk. Son: Alan Balk. Parents: John and Agnes Falada. Parents-in-law: Carl and Catherine Balk. Son-in-law: Joseph Henry. Grandchildren: Bruce Balk and Isaiah Baker. Brother: Stanley Falada. Brothers and Sisters-in-law: Lawrence Pecinovksy, Betty Falada, Clara Balk, Greg (Agnes) Bodensteiner, Teddy (Leona) Balk, Ray (Esther) Balk, Matilda (Clem) Hlubek, Bill (Germaine) Steffes, Geneva (Clarence) Turner, Leonard (Lucille) Balk, Dwayne (Helen) Reisner, and Rose Balk.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database