Balzer, Victor Sylvester (1917-2005)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2005 Sept 1 p. 2

Birth date: 1917 Sep 18

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Sep 19 p. 11

text of obituary:

VICTOR BALZER

Victor Sylvester Balzer, 87, of Inman, Kan., died Aug. 30, 2005, at Pleasant View Home. He was born Sept. 18, 1917, to David D. and Agatha Siemens Balzer in McPherson County.

He was a lifelong farmer and Inman-area resident. He graduated from Inman High School and attended Bethel College in North Newton for one year. As a young man he suffered from a lung infection. He welcomed the love and care of Lorene Gaeddert, a nurse who became his wife June 4, 1943.

The couple built a new house on their farm east of Inman, where they raised wheat, milo, beans, corn, cattle and pigs. In 1992, they moved to a duplex at Pleasant View.

He was there for Lorene when she was ill and cared for her until her death on Feb. 6, 1997. He experienced good health until the last year of his life, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

He was baptized and became a member of Hebron Mennonite Church. Later he transferred his membership to Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, where he was a faithful member until his death.

He was interested in Mennonite faith and history. He put his faith into practice by serving those who needed his care. He enjoyed volunteer work at the Hutchinson Et Cetera shop during his retirement. He helped start the Lucky Leaf 4-H club, in which his children showed champion steers. He was a board member of the Mid-Kansas Coop Association and the district drainage board.

He loved to farm and helped harvest wheat every year until his last birthday. He helped his children with various projects and enjoyed refinishing furniture and donating it to Mennonite Central Committee. He enjoyed traveling overseas and around the United States. He remained cheerful and optimistic as he faced his final illness.

Survivors include his children, Ronald of Newton, Harlin and his wife, Susan, of Hesston, and JoAnn Balzer and Steve Carr of San Jose, Calif.; five grandchildren; his brother, John Balzer of Inman; and his loving friend, Ruth Neufeld of Inman.