Balzer, Earl M. (1928-1998)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 5 Mar 1998 p. 11

Birth date: 1928 January 2, Minnesota>br /> Date of Death: 1998 January 18, Oregon

Obituary - Mt. Lake Observer - 1998: Earl M. Balzer, a resident of Gresham, Oregon, formerly of Mt. Lake, died January 18, 1998, at his home. A memorial service was held on January 21 in the Rockwood United Methodist Church in Gresham. He was a member of the Sunrise Mennonite Church in Clackamas. Earl was born January 2, 1928 in Mt. Lake, the son of Helen and Henry J. Balzer. He received his education in Mt. Lake Public Schools graduating with the class of 1946. He graduated from Bethel College in Newton, Kansas with a degree in education. On August 11, 1950, he married Lois J. Schmidt and began his teaching career in Burrton, Kansas. In 1955 they moved to Portland, Oregon, where he taught industrial arts in Marshall High School. He was pivotal in the introduction of computer-assisted drafting programs for students. He retired from public school after 40 years but kept busy with his computer-assisted drafting projects, his work at Snow-Cap Community Charities in Gresham, and his many activities with his extended family. Earl served on the Board of Trustees for Snow-Cap Community Charities and watched as efforts to erect a much needed building foundered for two or more years. It was then that he took charge of securing the permits, the architects, negotiated differences and put together a plan. He was made director of the building project and drew up the timeline, secured donations, volunteer craftsmen, hired professionals when needed and spent 12 hour days generating community support and guiding the building process. Without his vision and effort it may still be an item on the agenda of the Board of Trustees. The two-story building is huge, impressive, and includes many features unique to charity work. His survivors include his wife, Lois; son, Thayne Balzer, Gresham; daughters, Ronna Unger, Dallas, Texas, and Jenelle Ediger of West Linn, Oregon; six grandchildren all of Oregon; two sisters, Amanda Franz, Auburn, Washington, and ElDoris Epp, Shaker Heights, Ohio.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Mt. Lake, Minnesota
Son of Heinrich J. and Helena (Derksen) Balzer
Married Lois Jean Schmidt 1950 August 11
Teacher high school -- Oregon

Bethel alumni note:
Bethel College BS 1950

Photo holdings:
Individual -- Teacher Placement Office
BC Graymaroon photos:
1947 p. 49
1948 p. 51
1949 p. 42
1950 p. 26

Sources:
Teacher Placement Files 1996
Grandma Online 274296
Alumni card
Obit, above