William Balbach

There will be a Parish Prayer Service Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at St. John's Home. William George Balbach, Jr. was born February 1, 1924, on the family farm in Stately Township, Brown County, the son of William, Sr. and Leone (U'Ren) Balbach. He attended school in Dotson and was united in marriage to Lucille Fiedler on May 21, 1947, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Bill lived his entire life on the family farm and was a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield. He enjoyed fishing, playing the accordion and harmonica, and will be remembered as the world's greatest waltzer! Bill loved his family above all else and one of his greatest memories was of the trip to Alaska with his boys. Bill Balbach died Sunday, December 16, 2007, at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield at the age of 83 years. Survivors include children- Gary and wife Sandy Balbach of Spicer, Jim and wife Jeanette Balbach of Bertha, Diane and husband Curtis Thram of Sanborn, Patricia and husband Duane Dauer of Springfield, Lisa and husband Mike Zihlke of Springfield, and Lori and husband Clayton Kretsch of Springfield; 19 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife- Lucille in 1987; grandson- Rick in 1994; and sister- Lois Schmidt.