Balzer, Helena Frey (1873-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Mar 8 p. 6

Birth date: 1873 Mar 22

text of obituary:

— Mrs. Helena (Frey) Balzer, wife of Henry P. Balzer, died at the home in North Newton on Thursday morning, March 1. Born in Russia on March22, 1873, she was nearing her 83rd birthday. Her marriage to Mr. Balzer took place more than 64 years ago — Jan. 14, 1892 — in Goessel. Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at the Tabor Mennonite Church by Rev. H. B. Schmidt and Rev. Harold Buller, pastor of the Bethel College congregation, of which she was a member. In addition to her husband, she is survived by four daughters; one sister, Mrs. John Becker of Newton, and one brother, Rev. J. B. Frey of Cornville, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Mar 22 p. 8

text of obituary:

HELENA FREY BALZER

Our mother, Helena Frey Balzer, daughter of Benjamin and Maria (Wedel) Frey, was born March22, 1873, in the village of Alexanderwohl, South Russia and departed this life on March 1, 1956, at the age of 82 years, 11 months and eight days. When about one year of age she came to the United States with her parents who settled in the Tabor church community, Marion County, Kansas.

On May 26, 1887, she was baptized upon confession of her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior by Rev. Jacob Buller and received into the membership of Alexanderwohl church. When the Tabor church was organized in 1908 she with her husband, transferred their membership to that church. In 1920 they moved from their farm north of Newton to North Newton. On Oct. 1, 1922, they joined the Bethel College Mennonite church where she remained a faithful member until her death.

On Jan. 14, 1892, she was married to Henry P. Balzer. God has blessed them with 64 years of married life together. On Jan. 18, 1942, they were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary and ten years later they also celebrated their diamond anniversary. This union was blessed with ten children. Six of them preceded her in death — Edmund, Emil and Clarence died in early childhood, Eva, Theodore and Herbert in early youth. The loss of these children was a source of much sorrow in mother's life, but her strong faith in God sustained her in these bitter experiences.

Her illness was diagnosed as dropsy. She was more seriously ill for about three weeks. She bore her suffering with great patience and without complaint.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband and our father, Henry P. Balzer, and four daughters with their husbands, Mrs. Karl (Frieda) Friesen, Mrs. J. J. (Maricha) Voth, Mrs. W. I. (Gertrude) Schroeder, all of North Newton, and Mrs. Frank E. (Augusta) Manning of Mwanza, Tanganyika Territory, East Africa; one sister, Mrs. John Becker of Newton, and one brother Rev. J. B. Frey, Cornville, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren and13 great-grandchildren, also many other relatives and friends.

She was a loving and devoted mother and lived a life of service for her family and community. She loved the church and was a regular attendant as long as she was well. In her early life she had memorized many Christian hymns which she loved to sing as she went about doing the work in her household. She possessed a happy and cheerful disposition which was a constant source of encouragement to her family. We shall miss her greatly but shall be comforted by the memory of her and the knowledge that she has gone to be with her Savior and Lord. — The Children and Father.