Gratiot,WI-Doris Lorraine (Hoover) Balbach of Gratiot, WI and Flagler Beach, FL passed away peacefully at her home on Friday November 28, 2008 surrounded by her family after a brief struggle with bone cancer. She was born May 14, 1921 in Davis, IL at the home of her Grandparents, the daughter of Rev. Reynold and Virgil (Miller) Hoover.
Being a child of a minister, she called home many locations in Northern Illinois including Apple River, Fulton, Freeport, Mt. Morris, Chicago and West Chicago.
She was a graduate of Kelly High School in Chicago where she was active in choral music and swimming. In 1943, Doris graduated with a degree in Home Economics from Northern Illinois University. Upon graduation, her first teaching position was in Lena, IL.
During this time she was introduced by mutual friends to her husband of 64 years; Carson C. Balbach. They were married December 23, 1944 in West Chicago by her father and the Bishop of the United Methodist Northern Illinois District. She taught Home Economics in Warren, IL for 27 years. Doris was a member of the IVHTA (Illinois Vocational Home Economics Teacher's Association) of which she held the office of President for two years, involving the organizing of their State Conventions in Peoria and Chicago. Doris was an active member of the Apple River United Methodist Church and Flagler Beach United Methodist Church, upon retirement, always involved in serving others. Doris will be remembered for her beautiful smile; her vitality and love of life, loving friendships and great hospitality. Family and friends were a special part of her life as well as her students during her years as an educator. She always enjoyed attending the class reunions of her former students.
She is preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Reynold L. (Bill) Hoover; a sister, Ruth (Hoover) Munro; and her in-laws; Olin and Rosella (Haugen) Balbach.
She will be dearly missed by her husband, Carson; daughter Julia (Richard) Raab of Wheaton, IL; son Stewart of Chicago, IL; granddaughters Gretchen (Tom) Wheatley and Ellen (Chris) Albright; twin great granddaughters Caroline and Emma Wheatley; a sister
Phyllis (Hoover) Rooney; brother in-laws John (Jane) Balbach and Ted (Wilma) Balbach; 11 Nieces; 2 Nephews and many wonderful, supportive cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held at Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, Sunday November 30, 2008 from 1:00 till 5:00. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Monday December 1, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Apple River United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be directed to Apple River United Methodist Church, 102 E. Baldwin, Apple River, IL 61001, Flagler Beach United Methodist Church, 1520 South Daytona Avenue, PO Box 929, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-0929 and Monroe Clinic Hospice, 515 22nd Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566-9989. Condolences may be sent to family at www.leamonfh.com
Being a child of a minister, she called home many locations in Northern Illinois including Apple River, Fulton, Freeport, Mt. Morris, Chicago and West Chicago.
She was a graduate of Kelly High School in Chicago where she was active in choral music and swimming. In 1943, Doris graduated with a degree in Home Economics from Northern Illinois University. Upon graduation, her first teaching position was in Lena, IL.
During this time she was introduced by mutual friends to her husband of 64 years; Carson C. Balbach. They were married December 23, 1944 in West Chicago by her father and the Bishop of the United Methodist Northern Illinois District. She taught Home Economics in Warren, IL for 27 years. Doris was a member of the IVHTA (Illinois Vocational Home Economics Teacher's Association) of which she held the office of President for two years, involving the organizing of their State Conventions in Peoria and Chicago. Doris was an active member of the Apple River United Methodist Church and Flagler Beach United Methodist Church, upon retirement, always involved in serving others. Doris will be remembered for her beautiful smile; her vitality and love of life, loving friendships and great hospitality. Family and friends were a special part of her life as well as her students during her years as an educator. She always enjoyed attending the class reunions of her former students.
She is preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Reynold L. (Bill) Hoover; a sister, Ruth (Hoover) Munro; and her in-laws; Olin and Rosella (Haugen) Balbach.
She will be dearly missed by her husband, Carson; daughter Julia (Richard) Raab of Wheaton, IL; son Stewart of Chicago, IL; granddaughters Gretchen (Tom) Wheatley and Ellen (Chris) Albright; twin great granddaughters Caroline and Emma Wheatley; a sister
Phyllis (Hoover) Rooney; brother in-laws John (Jane) Balbach and Ted (Wilma) Balbach; 11 Nieces; 2 Nephews and many wonderful, supportive cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held at Bartell-Leamon Funeral Home in Warren, Sunday November 30, 2008 from 1:00 till 5:00. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Monday December 1, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Apple River United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be directed to Apple River United Methodist Church, 102 E. Baldwin, Apple River, IL 61001, Flagler Beach United Methodist Church, 1520 South Daytona Avenue, PO Box 929, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-0929 and Monroe Clinic Hospice, 515 22nd Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566-9989. Condolences may be sent to family at www.leamonfh.com