My beloved grandmother, Merle Laura Balbach (Crowley) (1894-1981) was born in Weaverville, California (reportedly under the name Laura Merle Balbach, but reversed the names as an adult). She was one of three children of Louis Augustus Balbach (1868-1908) and his wife Nettie Viola Bonar (later Shepardson, finally Kramer) - (1873-1958). Merle's youngest brother Louis James Balbach, won a bronze medal for diving in the 1920 Olympics. In 1918, Merle married Leo Lafayette Crowley (1892-1922), a World War I soldier she met at the U.S.O. Together, they moved to Morenci, AZ. In 1922, Merle brought her baby daughter Georgia Merle Crowley (1920-2004) to visit her mother, now living in the Portland, Oregon area. Merle's father, Leo, was to join them, but instead they received a telegram that he had died of the great flu epidemic that began in 1918. Merle never remarried. She was a great family historian, and remained in touch with her late husband's family and with many relatives from all branches of the family until her death. Merle Laura Balbach (Crowley) died in 1981 in San Diego, California. Her ashes were scattered at sea. ONLY CHILD: Georgia Merle Crowley {Morse}.
My beloved grandmother, Merle Laura Balbach (Crowley) (1894-1981) was born in Weaverville, California (reportedly under the name Laura Merle Balbach, but reversed the names as an adult). She was one of three children of Louis Augustus Balbach (1868-1908) and his wife Nettie Viola Bonar (later Shepardson, finally Kramer) - (1873-1958). Merle's youngest brother Louis James Balbach, won a bronze medal for diving in the 1920 Olympics. In 1918, Merle married Leo Lafayette Crowley (1892-1922), a World War I soldier she met at the U.S.O. Together, they moved to Morenci, AZ. In 1922, Merle brought her baby daughter Georgia Merle Crowley (1920-2004) to visit her mother, now living in the Portland, Oregon area. Merle's father, Leo, was to join them, but instead they received a telegram that he had died of the great flu epidemic that began in 1918. Merle never remarried. She was a great family historian, and remained in touch with her late husband's family and with many relatives from all branches of the family until her death. Merle Laura Balbach (Crowley) died in 1981 in San Diego, California. Her ashes were scattered at sea. ONLY CHILD: Georgia Merle Crowley {Morse}.
