Balzer, Peter W. (1890-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Nov 22 p. 6

Birth date: 1890 Oct 19

text of obituary:

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— Funeral services were held at the Hebron Mennonite Church Saturday afternoon for Peter W. Balzer of Buhler, who died Nov. 14 at Grace hospital in Hutchinson at the age of 66. He is survived by his wife Anna; a son Carl of Inman; two daughters, Mrs. Elmer Ratzlaff and Mrs. Henry Brown of Partridge; eight grandchildren, three brothers and one sister.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Dec 13 p. 8

text of obituary:

PETER W. BALZER

Peter W. Balzer, our father and husband, was born Oct. 19, 1890, in McPherson County near the town of Inman to John and Sara Penner Balzer. He attended and graduated from the Lake Valley School and the Hopeview Bible School, and grew to manhood on the farm of his parents.

He began playing the cornet in the Lake Valley band when he was 10 years old and played for over 25 years. He enjoyed music and playing in the band very much. This was the hobby he enjoyed most and he was a very talented cornet player.

On July 6,1913, upon his confession of faith in Christ as his Saviour, he was baptized by Rev. A.M. Martens and received into the Hebron Mennonite church of which he remained a faithful member until his death. He served his church for several years as a member of the board of trustees and also assisted by teaching in the Sunday school.

On July 27, 1913, he was united in marriage to our mother, nee Anna Siemens, by Rev. A. M. Martens at Mother's home near Buhler. They were privileged to spend 43 years of married life together. In 1916 they moved to a Reno County farm and lived there until they moved to Buhler, Kansas in 1946 as retired farmers. Father took great pride in and very much enjoyed their Buhler home. He looked forward to the times when the children and grandchildren came to visit and loved them very much.

About six or seven year ago his health began to fail, and he suffered a growing paralysis. On August 1, 1956, he became quite ill with pneumonia and was taken to the Grace hospital, Hutchinson. Here he suffered additional paralysis and gradually became weaker. Though quite ill and unable to talk, he still hummed these favorite hymns: "In The Sweet Bye and Bye," "I'm A Child of the King," and "Sweet Hour of Prayer."

On Nov. 14, 1956, at 3:55 a.m., at the age of 66 years and 25 days, he quietly passed away, leaving to mourn his loving wife Anna; his children ruby and husband Elmer Ratzlaff of Noundridge, Ella and husband Henry Brown of Partridge, and Carl and wife Loel of Inman; eight grandchildren, three brothers, John A., David D., and Isaac H., all of Buhler, and a sister, Mrs. Jacob G. Neufeldt of Inman.

The funeral services were held at the Hebron Mennonite Church with Rev. O'Ray C. Graver officiating. Burial was at the Buhler Cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1957 Jan 1 p. 14