Balzer, Henry P. (1868-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Mar 14 p. 6

Birth date: 1868 May 25

text of obituary:

— Henry P. Balzer, 88, resident of North Newton for a number of years, died Saturday at the Bethesda Hospital in Goessel. He had been a guest at the Bethesda Home in Goessel for some time. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Bethel College Mennonite Church, Rev. W. F. Unruh and Rev. H. B. Schmidt officiating. Born in South Russia, Mr. Balzer came to this vicinity as a child and farmed for a number of years. He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Karl Friesen, Mrs. J. J. Voth and Mrs. W. I. Schroeder, all of North Newton, and Mrs. Frank Manning, missionary in Africa; two sisters, Mrs. J. B. Frey of Cornville, Ariz. and Mrs. Peter Fast of Goessel; one brother, David of Route 2; 10 grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Mar 21 p. 8

text of obituary:

Our father, H. P. Balzer was born May 25, 1868, in the village Liebenau, South Russia, and was called to his heavenly home March 9, 1957, having reached the age of 88 years, nine months and 14 days.

He was about six years of age when his parents migrated to this country and settled on a farm in Marion County, Kan.three miles south and one east of the Alexanderwhol [sic Alexanderwohl] church. Here he grew up, helping with the farm work. Also, since his father was a cabinet maker, he was called on as a boy to help in the construction of the caskets needed for the funerals in those early days.

On Pentecost Sunday, May 29, 1887, he was baptized and received into the Alexanderwohl Church where he remained a member until the organization of the Tabor Church, when he and mother became charter members there.

On Jan. 14, 1892, he was married to Helena Frey, who shared joys and sorrows with him throughout a long life, preceding him to the heavenly home only about a year ago. The celebration of their golden wedding anniversary in 1942 and of the diamond jubilee in 1952 were occasions of great joy to them and of thanksgiving to a loving heavenly Father.

Although starting out on a rent farm, our parents soon bought their own farm where they lived until 1920, when the moved to what is now North Newton. Here in due time they united with the Bethel College Mennonite Church. While retired from farming, father continued to work constantly, helping with various construction jobs, doing painting and the like until not too many years ago. During the years when the MCC relief program was at its height he donated his time quite regularly to help bale relief clothing. His friendly and kindly disposition and helpfulness won for him many permanent friends.

While not given to much demonstration, he was a great lover of children and seemed to win their confidence easily. To us he was a loving and sympathetic father, providing well for us and always concerned about our welfare, praying daily for his own.

Father did not have the opportunity of much schooling, but he was a voracious reader, which helped to give him a wholesome outlook upon life. In his home district he served as a member of the school board and in his church as Sunday School teacher. It was a source of satisfaction to him (as also to mother) when three of the daughters and their husbands and, later, a granddaughter were called of the Lord to serve in mission work and the ministry and in Christian education.

Ten children were born to him, five daughters and five sons. Six of them preceded him in death: three sons in infancy, the other two sons and one daughter when about 17 years of age.

Left to mourn his departure are four daughters and their husbands: Frieda, Mrs. Karl Friesen, Maricha, Mrs. J. J. Voth, Gertrude, Mrs. W. I Schroeder, and Augusta, Mrs. Frank E. Manning;ten grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. J. B. Frey and husband, Cornville, Arizona, and Mrs. P. B. Fast and husband, near Goessel; one brother, David Balzer and wife of rural Newton, numerous other relatives, and a host of friends.

Father's passing leaves another great vacancy, and yet we are truly thankful that he could go, for his failing memory and his loneliness since mothers departure left him without joy or purpose in this life. We therefore sorrow as those who have a sure hope, for we know that his trust was in the perfect redemption and merits of our Saviour. It is our confidence that, "When the chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies. And the roll is called up yonder we'll be there." to. — The Family.