Balzer, Lizzie Siemens (1883-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Nov 7 p. 6

Birth date: 1883

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the Hebron Mennonite Church near Buhler on Saturday afternoon for Mrs. Lizzie Balzer, 74, who died Oct. 30 at Buhler following a heart attack. Rev. O'Ray Graber, the pastor, officiated. A lifelong resident of the Buhler-Inman community, Mrs. Balzer is survived by a son, Ed of Buhler; a daughter, Mrs. Weldon Rupp of Moundridge, and five sisters, all of the Buhler-Inman area.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Nov 14 p. 8

Birth date: 1883 Apr 19

text of obituary:

MRS. P. P. BALZER

Mrs. Lizzie Siemens Balzer, daughter of John A. and Anna Rempel Siemens, was born April 19, 1883, in McPherson County, Kansas. She was born and raised on the farm home of her parents not far from Buhler, Kansas. Her educational opportunities were limited but she did have the privilege of attending the Hill School for several years.

With her parents she attended the Hebron Church from childhood on, and here she learned to know Christ, whom she accepted as her personal Saviour and Lord. She was baptized on August 13, 1899, upon her personal confession by Elder Bernhard Buhler and became a member of the Hebron Mennonite Church, where she remained a faithful member until her departure from this life.

On Nov. 13, 1902, she was united in marriage to Peter B. Balzer. To this union were born four children: Lizzie, Menno, Edward, and Linda. The two children that she was privileged to see grow to maturity were very close to her. They were her pride and joy and she together with her husband tried to bring them up in the love and admonition of the Lord. She spoke often of her grandchildren and was genuinely concerned for their spiritual welfare.

For 32 years she lived with her husband on the farm. In 1934 they established residence in Buhler, Kansas. She continued to live here following her husband's death on Feb. 12, 1947, in the companionship of her children, her sisters and many friends.

Her health had been good for which she was always thankful, and she took advantage of this blessing by energetically pursuing her work and participating in many activities. The spiritual nurture of her soul through regular attendance and active participation in Sunday School, worship services, mission workers meetings, and Bible study was a habit that she carefully and joyfully practiced. In countless other ways she was continually seeking to help others.

Shortly after 12:00 o'clock noon the neighbor received a call from Mrs. Balzer saying that she was suffering severe pains. Her conversation after the neighbor arrived was brief and her last words after she had taken off her glasses and placed them on her Bible, were, “I'm going home.” At the time of her death on Oct. 30, 1957, she had reached the age of 74 years, six months and 11 days.

She leaves to mourn a son and a daughter, Edward and his family of Buhler, and Linda, Mrs. Weldon Rupp and family of Moundridge. She leaves also seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Her parents, her husband, and two children, Lizzie and Menno, preceded her in death, as did two sisters: Augusta and Lena, Mrs. Ted Friesen; one brother, John Siemens; and one grandchild, William Joel Rupp. She leaves five sisters: Mrs. Mary Plett; Mrs. Anna Balzer; Agatha, Mrs. D. D. Balzer; and Nettie, Mrs. Jake Franz all of Buhler; and Katherine, Mrs. J. C. Wiens of Inman, besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, Nov.2, 1957, at the Hebron Mennonite Church with Rev. O'Ray Graber officiating. She was laid to rest in the Buhler Cemetery, Buhler, Kansas.