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| Helen Marie Balow died Saturday morning, August 23, 2003 at the Dove Healthcare Center in Eau Claire. She had been a resident there since October 2002.
Helen was born on July 1, 1926 to John and Ruth (Hagg) Christianson in Eau Claire. On October 2, 1948, she married Marvin "Earl" Balow at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Eau Claire and subsequently moved to Altoona where they lived and raised four daughters. |
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Her four daughters survive Helen: Sue Ann (Paul R.) Parker of Altoona, Pat (Lyle) Strasburg of Eau Claire, Cindy (Gary) Boie of Green Bay, and Cathy (Jim) Geissler of Altoona. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Kerry (Lacy) Brown, Amy (Brian) Kent, Kimberley Brown, Melissa (Kelly) Stolt, Ryan Balow, Jamie (Wayne Helland) Strasburg, Michelle Strasburg, and Eric Boie. Her great-grandchildren Alyssa and Blake Brown, Ethan Kent, Cody and Amanda Stolt. She is also survived by her two sisters Qurine (Richard) Downs of Rice Lake and Gloria (Derald) Lahner of Minong.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Earl, her mother Ruth and her father John.
Our mom will be remembered for so many things like homemade apple pies, her pretty embroidery work, her love of flowers and also for teaching all four daughters how to make proper use of the iron, a skill we have passed on to our own children. She was a loving mother and tenacious lady who struggled with health issues throughout her life. In her final days, she easily expressed her deep love of family and shared her wonderful sense of humor with us all. She has now stepped forward into her eternal life with God and we look forward to seeing her again, at the end of our own journey.
A memorial fund has been established in Helen's memory in lieu of flowers. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to everyone at Dove Healthcare for their participation in our mother's journey. In addition, St. Joseph's Hospice was a wonderful experience for all of us. It helped each of us travel with ease through to the end of our mother's life.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at the Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Rd, Eau Claire, with the Rev. Fred Sauder officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Rest Haven Gardens in the Town of Washington. Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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