"Don and Gertie were friends of my parents. I remember them both as being such sweet and caring people. Their family are in my thoughts and prayers."
Gertrude M. Balzer, age 99, formerly of Quincy, died on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 2:30 pm in Memorial Hospital Belleville.
Gertrude was born on November 5, 1920 the daughter of Ralph B. and Sophia J. Goudschaal Aden. She married Donald L. Balzer on February 12, 1943 in Concord Lutheran Church near Clayton, Illinois. He preceded her in death on October 23, 2016.
Gertrude and Donald were long time residents of Quincy, Illinois. Gertrude retired as the office manager of the United Way of Adams County in 1979. She and Donald moved to Cedarhurst of Shiloh, Illinois in 2015 to be nearer to daughter Donna.
Gertrude was devoted to her family and her loving husband, children and grandchildren were the light of her life. She was an avid reader, a tennis player, and a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
Gertrude loved her Lord and Savior and was a long-time member of the Lutheran Church of St. John in Quincy and she faithfully attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois after moving to Cedarhurst.
Survivors include her daughter, Donna (fiancé Kenneth Bunton) Senechal of Belleville, IL; a daughter-in-law, Michele (Steve) Schoch of Quincy; five grandchildren, Stephen (Meri) Senechal of Adams, WI, David (Diane) Senechal of Evanston, IL, Stacey (David) Otte of Syracuse, NY, Dr. Christian (Dr. Shireen) Balzer of Walnut Creek, CA, and Dr. Alexandra (Dr. Steve) Caloudas of Houston, TX; nine great-grandchildren; and six great-great-granddaughters.
In addition to her husband of 73 years, Donald, Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Rev. Douglas Kent Balzer in 2012, a son-in-law, Rev. Gordon Senechal in 2012, three sisters, Edla Hummel, Ann Renkin and Esther Trefz, and three brothers, John, Carl and Roland Aden.
Private Services will be held with Rev. Steve Hayden officiating followed by burial at Sunset Cemetery at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy.
To attend the service for Gertrude Balzer remotely, please join us on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 9:00 am Central Time using the following link: http://client.tribucast.com/tcid/53529374
Memorials: Lutheran Church of St. John Food Pantry
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
"Don and Gertie were friends of my parents. I remember them both as being such sweet and caring people. Their family are in my thoughts and prayers."
"I have many fond memories of Aunt Gertie and Uncle Don. Condolences to Donna and the family. Toni Aden"
"Knew the Balzers when they attended Our Redeemer Church. Sincere sympathy."
"Please accept our condolences. Lots of good memories. Al Aden and family."