Marie Louise (Shank) Balcome

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Marie Louise (Shank) Balcome was a blessing to everyone she met. She was kindhearted, genuine, and described as the sweetest lady around. Marie loved to nurture and care for others from the time she was a young girl, and she was filled with unspeakable joy to witness her family tree blossom to include the numerous branches of loved ones who made her so very proud. Someone who could find the sunshine even on the darkest of days, Marie leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.
It was great to be an American during the decade that we commonly recall as the Roaring Twenties. Innovation led the way to numerous advancements, and prosperity was felt by nearly all Americans. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great excitement in the lives of Ole and Judith (Fredin) Hove as they were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Marie on May 3, 1926, in Red Wing, Minnesota. She was one of six children in her family as she was joined in the Hove clan by her siblings, Eldon, Virgil, Willard, Merle "Bud," and Judy. When Marie was ten years old, she and her family moved to Leader, and in 1942 they moved to a farm near St. Charles.
From her earliest days Marie was a bustle of activity. She helped raise her younger sister, Judy, and as a music lover she saved up enough money to buy a guitar and taught herself to play. Marie also liked to sing and yodel. They lived four miles from town, which meant that Marie walked everywhere including to attend school at Garfield Country School. Sometimes their father pulled them in a sleigh. Marie attended school through the eighth grade, but by the time she was 13 she had enough of school. She then started cleaning houses, baking bread, and canning peas for a local lady. At the age of 16, Marie traveled to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she stayed with her aunt and uncle. While there she cleaned houses and worked for a Jewish family who owned an elaborate clothing store.
New and exciting changes were in store for Marie when she met Ralph Shank while working at Frisbee's Café in St. Charles in 1946. Ralph and his friends invited Marie and her friends to a dance in Elba, and after running home to ask for permission, Marie was thrilled to join them. They began dating, and she always told her kids that she was a "good girl." With a desire to establish a life together, Marie and Ralph were married on October 6, 1946, at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Winona with the Sunday school class looking on and a reception at her parents' home.
In 1947, the young couple moved to a farm east of St. Charles. Ralph started milking cows and crop farming, and he eventually built up his operation to include seven farms, milking 200 cows! Together Marie and her husband had seven children, which allowed Ralph to coin this poem, "Sheryl Ann and Geraldine May, Marlys Jean and Debra Kay, Gayle Marie and Karen Sue, Brian Ralph is in there, too. Their mother's name is Mary Lou." Marie was an amazing mother who always put her family first. Her children loved hearing her sing "Old Shep," and they always cried when Shep died. Marie spent many hours in the kitchen and was a fantastic cook. She prepared large meals and took great pride in cooking for her family and many farm hands. Of course every meal always included dessert. Sunday dinners were special and usually included fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn, while Sunday supper was BBQs, cold beans, and jello. Marie never had a driver's license, although she did attempt driving and almost crashed! There was also the time that she tried to back up the farm truck and ended up backing through the grainery! Sadly, Ralph died on December 1, 1976. In April of 1977, Marie held an auction and sold the farm.
Later that same year Marie moved to St. Charles with Karen and Brian. For the most part she was content to spend time at home keeping busy with housework and taking care of her beautiful flower garden, rarely going out to visit or shop, as she even called to have her groceries delivered. Brighter days were on the horizon as she was watching television one night and a former hired man, Orville Lange, called to say he was on the way to pick her up to take her to a dance at the Moose Lodge. While there, Marie was introduced to a man named Lewy Balcome. He told her he was going to "take her to the preacher man," and they were married on February 5, 1982. Together they lived in "The Blue House on Bluff Avenue." Fourth of July was always celebrated at their place with lots of family and old friends, enjoying a meal which always included chicken and potato salad.
Always busy, Marie was a woman of many interests. She and Lewy traveled to Germany in 1982, although her first plane ride was when her first grandchild was born in Colorado. Marie had her own unique way of making each and every grandchild feel special and as though they were her favorite. She loved going to Cabin Coffee and going out to eat, and she had many favorite days throughout her life with her 90th birthday party being one of them. Marie was very involved with the St. Charles Moose Lodge, serving as Senior Regent for a time, and she was also an active member of the Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles. In addition, Marie belonged to the local Red Hat Society and enjoyed her Sunday afternoon get togethers playing SkipBo with her friends.
All who knew Marie would agree that she was truly extraordinary. She always wanted to look her best with her hair and nails done just so. In fact, on a recent trip to the emergency room Marie was concerned that she didn't have a chance to brush her hair before she left! She was the "sweetest little lady" according to her daughter, and she was quick to observe and compliment others.
Marie was a blessing to everyone she met. She always started her day by saying, "This is the Day the Lord has made," and although she was quiet in her younger days she became quite the fighter. Deeply loved, Marie will be forever missed.
Marie Louise (Shank) Balcome, of St. Charles, died Wednesday evening, August 31st at Mayo Clinic Hospital - St. Mary's Campus in Rochester. Marie's family includes her daughters, Sheryl (Roger) Brunette of Colorado Springs, CO, Geraldine (Jim) Ellringer of St. Charles, Marlys (Larry) Fieseler of Eyota, Deb (Marlow) Mielke, and Gayle (Curt) Koenig both of St. Charles and Karen (Mike) Ellsworth of Utica, son, Brian (Kelly) Shank of Troy, and a step-son, Greg (Sheryl) Balcome of Rochester; 28 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren (one more on the way); five great-great-grandchildren; brother, Merle "Bud" Hove of Coatesville, PA; and sister, Judy (Eugene) Kruempel of St. Charles. Marie was preceded in death by her husbands, Ralph and Lewis; great-grandson, Lynden Marlow Heim; and three brothers, Eldon, Virgil and Willard Hove. Funeral services will be 11:15 a.m. Monday at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles with the Reverend Steve McGinley of Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery. A reception will follow services at the funeral home. Friends may call from 9-11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Please share a memory of Marie and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.