Lynn Balbach

Lynn Bud George Balbach was born on April 9, 1918 on the family farm in Stately Township, the son of George W. and Lillie (Potter) Balbach. Bud attended Dotson country school and graduated from Springfield High School. He entered the U.S. Army in June of 1941 and served in New Guinea, the Philippines, and then Korea. He was discharged in February of 1946 as a Captain. He met and later married Bernice Buhr on February 17, 1946 at Christ Lutheran Church in Stately Township. The couple farmed northeast of Springfield for 59 years and they moved to Springfield in 2007. Bud served as Clerk for Burnstown Township for 40 years, was a member of the Springfield School Board, Midland Co-op Board, Mutual Service Insurance Board, church boards, and an active member of the Springfield American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, coffee time with friends, traveling, and especially spending time with his family. Bud died on Friday, January 07, 2011 at St. John Lutheran Home at the age of 92 years. He is survived by his wife - Bernice Balbach of Springfield; daughter - Barbara and husband Barry Johnson of Red Wing, MN; granddaughters - Traci and husband Jeff Sonju of Red Wing, Nicole and husband Jason Burow of Red Wing, and Kriste and husband Nate Cheeley of St. Michaels; 7 great grandchildren; and a sisters-in-law - Melvine Balbach of Kasota, Irene Krueger of Springfield and Marjorie Gatzlaff of Springfield. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers - Percy and Ward; a sister - Dorothy Schenk; and brothers-in-law - Wilbert Krueger and Loren Gatzlaff.