Christeva "Chris" T. Balken, 84, a resident of Fergus Falls, died, Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Broen Memorial Home.She was born on December 24, 1929 to Lowry and Alta (Christy) Taylor in rural Stigler, Oklahoma.
At the age of ten, Chris moved with her family to Los Angeles, California, during the Great Dust Bowl Depression. ("The Grapes of Wrath") She attended various schools between Los Angeles and the fruit growing valleys of California. Her fondest memories were the times visited with her cousin, Nina and Walt Thomas, of Cressey, CA. Here she spent summers and lived with them for a short time.
Chris married U.S Navy Sailor Leonard Balken from Rothsay, Minnesota, on Aug 2, 1945 in Los Angeles, CA. After marrying, they farmed in different areas around Rothsay. She worked a series of intermittent jobs before acquiring her GED and HST/LPN credentials. Chris worked full-time at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center until her retirement. She was active as a ASFME Union and Chief Steward, leading her to an avid interest in politics. In 1992 she was chosen as DFL Delegate to the National DFL Convention in New York. She was a member of New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay. Chris' hobbies and interests were sewing, fishing, traveling, swimming, reading books and doing genealogy. She was a very approachable, friendly and well known for her welcoming hospitality. She had such a big heart and wrote: "Family is the most important thing in life."
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, brother, Vearl Taylor; sister, Eva Pickens, and niece, Suzanne Bailey.
Chris is survived by her children, Judy (Robert) Nowak of Parksville, British Columbia, Canada; Randy (Polly) Balken, Wes Balken of Erhard; daughter-in-law Elaine M. Balken, Rothsay ; Tracy (Brian) Buchholz of Fergus Falls; grandchildren: Toby (Jen) Nowak of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada, Matt (fiance Brenda Aune) Balken, Heather (Dan) Butler of Fargo, ND, Shane Balken of Rothsay, Chad Balken and Amber Balken of Denver, CO; Beth Buchholz of Lake Park; Travis (Kelsey) Buchholz of Fergus Falls, and Anne Buchholz of Fergus Falls; 12 great-grandchildren and niece, Sandy Temple of Arkansas.
VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2014 with a 6:30 prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. SERVICE: 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, MN. CLERGY: Reverend Paul Huso: BURIAL: Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay, Minnesota.
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements.
PLEASE NOTE: A memorial headstone was also put at Garland Cemetery in Stigler, Oklahoma, per Chris' wishes. Chris is buried in Minnesota next to her husband, in Rothsay.
At the age of ten, Chris moved with her family to Los Angeles, California, during the Great Dust Bowl Depression. ("The Grapes of Wrath") She attended various schools between Los Angeles and the fruit growing valleys of California. Her fondest memories were the times visited with her cousin, Nina and Walt Thomas, of Cressey, CA. Here she spent summers and lived with them for a short time.
Chris married U.S Navy Sailor Leonard Balken from Rothsay, Minnesota, on Aug 2, 1945 in Los Angeles, CA. After marrying, they farmed in different areas around Rothsay. She worked a series of intermittent jobs before acquiring her GED and HST/LPN credentials. Chris worked full-time at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center until her retirement. She was active as a ASFME Union and Chief Steward, leading her to an avid interest in politics. In 1992 she was chosen as DFL Delegate to the National DFL Convention in New York. She was a member of New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay. Chris' hobbies and interests were sewing, fishing, traveling, swimming, reading books and doing genealogy. She was a very approachable, friendly and well known for her welcoming hospitality. She had such a big heart and wrote: "Family is the most important thing in life."
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, brother, Vearl Taylor; sister, Eva Pickens, and niece, Suzanne Bailey.
Chris is survived by her children, Judy (Robert) Nowak of Parksville, British Columbia, Canada; Randy (Polly) Balken, Wes Balken of Erhard; daughter-in-law Elaine M. Balken, Rothsay ; Tracy (Brian) Buchholz of Fergus Falls; grandchildren: Toby (Jen) Nowak of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada, Matt (fiance Brenda Aune) Balken, Heather (Dan) Butler of Fargo, ND, Shane Balken of Rothsay, Chad Balken and Amber Balken of Denver, CO; Beth Buchholz of Lake Park; Travis (Kelsey) Buchholz of Fergus Falls, and Anne Buchholz of Fergus Falls; 12 great-grandchildren and niece, Sandy Temple of Arkansas.
VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2014 with a 6:30 prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. SERVICE: 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, MN. CLERGY: Reverend Paul Huso: BURIAL: Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay, Minnesota.
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements.
PLEASE NOTE: A memorial headstone was also put at Garland Cemetery in Stigler, Oklahoma, per Chris' wishes. Chris is buried in Minnesota next to her husband, in Rothsay.
Christeva "Chris" T. Balken, 84, a resident of Fergus Falls, died, Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Broen Memorial Home.She was born on December 24, 1929 to Lowry and Alta (Christy) Taylor in rural Stigler, Oklahoma.
At the age of ten, Chris moved with her family to Los Angeles, California, during the Great Dust Bowl Depression. ("The Grapes of Wrath") She attended various schools between Los Angeles and the fruit growing valleys of California. Her fondest memories were the times visited with her cousin, Nina and Walt Thomas, of Cressey, CA. Here she spent summers and lived with them for a short time.
Chris married U.S Navy Sailor Leonard Balken from Rothsay, Minnesota, on Aug 2, 1945 in Los Angeles, CA. After marrying, they farmed in different areas around Rothsay. She worked a series of intermittent jobs before acquiring her GED and HST/LPN credentials. Chris worked full-time at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center until her retirement. She was active as a ASFME Union and Chief Steward, leading her to an avid interest in politics. In 1992 she was chosen as DFL Delegate to the National DFL Convention in New York. She was a member of New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay. Chris' hobbies and interests were sewing, fishing, traveling, swimming, reading books and doing genealogy. She was a very approachable, friendly and well known for her welcoming hospitality. She had such a big heart and wrote: "Family is the most important thing in life."
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, brother, Vearl Taylor; sister, Eva Pickens, and niece, Suzanne Bailey.
Chris is survived by her children, Judy (Robert) Nowak of Parksville, British Columbia, Canada; Randy (Polly) Balken, Wes Balken of Erhard; daughter-in-law Elaine M. Balken, Rothsay ; Tracy (Brian) Buchholz of Fergus Falls; grandchildren: Toby (Jen) Nowak of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada, Matt (fiance Brenda Aune) Balken, Heather (Dan) Butler of Fargo, ND, Shane Balken of Rothsay, Chad Balken and Amber Balken of Denver, CO; Beth Buchholz of Lake Park; Travis (Kelsey) Buchholz of Fergus Falls, and Anne Buchholz of Fergus Falls; 12 great-grandchildren and niece, Sandy Temple of Arkansas.
VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2014 with a 6:30 prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. SERVICE: 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, MN. CLERGY: Reverend Paul Huso: BURIAL: Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay, Minnesota.
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements.
PLEASE NOTE: A memorial headstone was also put at Garland Cemetery in Stigler, Oklahoma, per Chris' wishes. Chris is buried in Minnesota next to her husband, in Rothsay.
At the age of ten, Chris moved with her family to Los Angeles, California, during the Great Dust Bowl Depression. ("The Grapes of Wrath") She attended various schools between Los Angeles and the fruit growing valleys of California. Her fondest memories were the times visited with her cousin, Nina and Walt Thomas, of Cressey, CA. Here she spent summers and lived with them for a short time.
Chris married U.S Navy Sailor Leonard Balken from Rothsay, Minnesota, on Aug 2, 1945 in Los Angeles, CA. After marrying, they farmed in different areas around Rothsay. She worked a series of intermittent jobs before acquiring her GED and HST/LPN credentials. Chris worked full-time at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center until her retirement. She was active as a ASFME Union and Chief Steward, leading her to an avid interest in politics. In 1992 she was chosen as DFL Delegate to the National DFL Convention in New York. She was a member of New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay. Chris' hobbies and interests were sewing, fishing, traveling, swimming, reading books and doing genealogy. She was a very approachable, friendly and well known for her welcoming hospitality. She had such a big heart and wrote: "Family is the most important thing in life."
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, brother, Vearl Taylor; sister, Eva Pickens, and niece, Suzanne Bailey.
Chris is survived by her children, Judy (Robert) Nowak of Parksville, British Columbia, Canada; Randy (Polly) Balken, Wes Balken of Erhard; daughter-in-law Elaine M. Balken, Rothsay ; Tracy (Brian) Buchholz of Fergus Falls; grandchildren: Toby (Jen) Nowak of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada, Matt (fiance Brenda Aune) Balken, Heather (Dan) Butler of Fargo, ND, Shane Balken of Rothsay, Chad Balken and Amber Balken of Denver, CO; Beth Buchholz of Lake Park; Travis (Kelsey) Buchholz of Fergus Falls, and Anne Buchholz of Fergus Falls; 12 great-grandchildren and niece, Sandy Temple of Arkansas.
VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2014 with a 6:30 prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. SERVICE: 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, MN. CLERGY: Reverend Paul Huso: BURIAL: Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay, Minnesota.
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota is in charge of arrangements.
PLEASE NOTE: A memorial headstone was also put at Garland Cemetery in Stigler, Oklahoma, per Chris' wishes. Chris is buried in Minnesota next to her husband, in Rothsay.
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