Ward E Balbach

Ward Ernest Balbach, age 88 of Kasota, died Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at Immanuel-St. Josephs Hospital in Mankato.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Mankato with Rev. Gene Glade officiating. Burial will be in Minneopa Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Mankato Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Saviors Building Fund or to an organization of the donors choice.

Ward was born January 10, 1916 to George and Lillie (Potter) Balbach in Springfield, Minnesota. He attended country school through the 8th grade, Springfield Public High School, and graduated in 1933. He farmed for his maternal grandparents until entering the service in 1941. He served with the 135th infantry regiment in WWII, until being wounded while in Africa. After his recovery, he attended vocational school in Mankato. On June 30, 1946, he married Melvine S. Richter at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato. Ward worked for Schwickerts for 44 years in various positions until retiring in 1992. Ward and Melvine lived in Mankato until 1996, when they built their retirement home near Lake Washington.

Survivors include his wife, Melvine Balbach of Kasota; four daughters, JoAnn (Tom) Larson of Eagan, Jane Chatleain and special friend Dale Bergemann of North Mankato, Judy (Lance) Ford of Excelsior, Julie (Troy) Sonnek of North Mankato; three sons, Don (Judy) Balbach of Fridley, Wayne (Denise) Balbach of Kasota, Kurt (Laura) Balbach of Mankato; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Lynn (Bernice) Balbach of Springfield; brother-in-law, Walter Schenk of Springfield; one nephew, two nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by a son, Dean; a brother; a sister; and a sister-in-law.