Lewis H. Balcome

Lewis H. Balcome, 77, of St. Charles, on Sunday January 21, 2007 was welcomed to heaven by his parents, Leslie and Tidal Balcome, two grandsons, his brothers, Frank and Lloyd and a sister Mavis. Lewis was born June 13, 1929 near Chatfield. He lived south of Chatfield until the fourth grade, moving with his family to Brosig Hill near Altura. He graduated from Chatfield High School in 1947. In July of 1954 he began working for Patterson Quarries of St. Charles. He and Ethelen Marical were married in 1959 and made their home in Saratoga. They were divorced in 1975. Lewis married Marie Hove Shank on February 5, 1982. The couple made their home in St. Charles. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and the St. Charles Moose Lodge where he was Past-Governor, District President and secretary, state Sargent at Arms, Honorary State President. He received the Moose Lodge Pilgrim Degree in 1994. He is a life member of Moose Legion. Lewis's family was very important to him. He enjoyed photography and was an avid pro-football fan. Survivors include his wife Marie, sons, Greg (Sheryl) Balcome of Rochester and Brian (Kelly) Shank of St. Charles, daughters, Sheryl (Roger) Brunette of Colorado Springs, CO; Geraldine (Jim) Ellringer of St. Charles; Marlys (Larry) Fieseler of Eyota; Deb (Marlow) Mielke, Gayle (Curt) Koenig and Karen (Mike) Ellsworth all of St. Charles, 28 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren, four sisters, Bertha "Peg"(Delon) Ackerman of Stewartville; Barbara (Otto) Wondrasch of Rochester; Lilas Reiman of Marion and Sherry Connaughty of Winona. Funeral Services will be 11AM Thursday at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles with the Rev. Dr. Mark Wilms and Rev. Ramie Bakken officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles. Friends may call from 4-8 PM Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Home's - St. Charles Chapel. They may also call one hour before services at the church. The Moose Lodge will present the Moose Lodges'Pilgrim Memorial Service at 7:30 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Please share a memory on Lewis' on-line guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.