Edwin E. Balz

Edwin Frederick Ernst Balz, 97, died Sunday, February 1, 2004, under the care of Wausau Manor. He was born July 16, 1906 in the Town of Wausau, son of the late Adolph and Albertina (Sell) Balz. He was baptized September 9, 1906 at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau; confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens; and married Bernice Westfall on August 1, 1936 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. She survives. They are members of St. John's Lutheran Church, Rib Falls. Ed had a long and wonderful life. At age 21, he worked his way to California to find a job on a large dairy farm. A year later he moved to Chicago and worked for Kraft-Phoenix where they produced and processed cheese, followed by a brief employment at Niemans & Fromms Ginseng Farm in Cedarburg. In 1930, during the Great Depression, Ed moved back to the family farm in Athens where he farmed for the next eight years. During that time, he met Bernice at Prochnow's Ballroom. Five years later, in the year of the Dust Bowl, they were married. In the spring of 1938, Ed and Bernice moved to Rib Falls where they dairy farmed and grew ginseng for 40 years. He was supervisor for the Town of Rib Falls for eight years; and along with his wife, members of the Marathon Square Dance Club for 17 years; and charter members of the Central Wisconsin Steam and Gas Engine Antique Show from 1973 to present. Ed worked in the logging camps, enjoyed farming and growing ginseng. At the age of 50 he took up horseback riding with friends; he loved hunting, traveling, dancing and working in the family sawmill with his sons and grandsons. Because Ed liked to keep actively fit, at the age of 80, he even attempted aerobics at the local YWCA. After retiring in 1978, they moved to Wausau. Ed's greatest past-time was working on his Steam Engine and telling stories of the olden days. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Bernice, Wausau; four daughters, Nancy (Eldred) Haehlke, Athens; Bonnie (Lawrence) Wokatsch, Wausau; Janice (Joseph) Ciardo, Wausau, Marka (Thomas) Henkelman, Merrill; three sons, Allan (Janet) Balz, Schofield; Gary (Darlene) Balz, Marathon; Thomas (Pam) Balz, Marathon; 21 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren; besides his parents he was preceded in death by six brothers; Richard, Arthur, Harry, twins Emil and Louis and John; four sisters; Ida Holden, Martha Dakins, Ella Lotzer, and Clara Degner. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2004 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rib Falls. Rev. Terry Reich will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Pallbearers will be, Mark Haehlke, Jon Balz, Jonathon Wokatsch, Scott and Steve Balz and Michael Balz. A special thank you to Jeanette Chrouser of Tender Loving Care for Seniors for all their help and support this past year and to Wausau Manor for their care and support during his stay these last few months. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com