Lawrence "Jerry" Balbach

Jerry Balbach, age 83, of Spring Valley, passed away on Sunday February 11, 2018 at his home.

Funeral Mass for Jerry Balbach will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday February 17, 2018 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Spring Valley, MN with Father Marreddy Pothireddy officiating.  Burial will take place in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN in the spring. Visitation will be held 1 hr. prior to the service.

Lawrence Jerome Balbach was born August 13, 1934 to Ernest and Sara (Cartin) Balbach in Newry, Minnesota. He attended and graduated from Spring Field High School in 1951. After graduation, Jerry enlisted in the United States Airforce serving from 1952-1956. On August 9, 1958 he was united in marriage to Sharon Boucsein at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Spring Valley, MN.

Jerry worked as a police officer, in the Airforce SAC, as a postmaster, flight instructor, a plumber, doing building maintenance at IBM for 15 years and as a dispatcher for the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department. Jerry was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed designing and making silver jewelry, reading, and singing as part of the SEMBA.  Jerry was always quick with a joke and loved to go golfing, skiing, snowmobiling, grilling, hiking, and racing go-karts. He took many camping trips with family and for the past 20 years would spend the winter months in Arizona with Sharon. Jerry’s grandkids were his pride and joy, he loved being able to spend time with them.

He is survived by his wife Sharon of Spring Valley; children Scott Balbach of Spring Valley, Dan (Lisa) Balbach of Traverse City, MI, and Shelley (Leonardo) Galvan of Pinole, CA; 4 grandchildren: Danielle Balbach, Dylan Balbach, Joshua Galvan, and Jessica Galvan; a sister Theresa Jackson of Lake Mills, IA; a brother Don Balbach of New Ulm, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 sisters: Jennette Peterson, Bonnie Morem, and Kathleen Knox.

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