Christeva "Chris" T. Balken

Christeva “Chris” T. Balken, 84, a resident of Fergus Falls, formerly of Rothsay, died, Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Broen Memorial Home.

She was born on December 24, 1929 to Lowry and Alta (Christy) Taylor in rural Stigler, Oklahoma. At the age of ten, Chris moved with her family to Los Angeles, CA during the Great Dust Bowl depression. (“The Grapes of Wrath”) She attended various schools between Los Angeles and the fruit growing valleys of California. Her fondest memories were the times visited with her cousin, Nina and Walt Thomas, of Cressey, CA. Here she spent summers and lived with them for a short time.

Chris married USN sailor Leonard Balken from rural Minnesota on Aug 2, 1945 in Los Angeles, CA. After marrying, they farmed in different areas around Rothsay.

She worked a series of intermittent jobs before acquiring her GED and HST/LPN credentials. She worked full-time at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center until her retirement. She was active as a ASFME Union and Chief Steward, leading her to an avid interest in politics. In 1992 she was chosen as DFL Delegate to the National DFL Convention in New York.

She was a member of New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, Minnesota.

Chris’ hobbies and interests were sewing, fishing, traveling, swimming, reading books and doing genealogy. She was a very approachable, friendly and well known for her welcoming hospitality. She had such a big heart and wrote: “Family is the most important thing in life.”

Preceeding her in death were her parents; husband, Albert “Leonard” Balken; brother, Vearl Taylor; sister, Eva Pickens; niece, Suzanne Bailey.

Chris is survived by her children, Judy (Robert) Nowak of Parksville, British Columbia, Canada, Randy (Polly) Balken of Erhard, Wes Balken of Erhard, Tracy (Brian) Buchholz of Fergus Falls; daughter-in-law, Elaine Balken of Rothsay; grandchildren, Toby (Jen) Nowak of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada, Matt (fiancé Brenda Aune) Balken, Heather (Dan) Butler of Fargo, ND, Shane Balken of Rothsay, Chad Balken of Denver, CO, Amber Balken of Denver, CO, Beth Buchholz of Lake Park, Travis (Kelsey) Buchholz of Fergus Falls, Anne Buchholz of Fergus Falls; 12 great-grandchildren; niece, Sandy Temple of Arkansas.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2014 with a 6:30 prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at New Life Lutheran Church in Rothsay, MN
Clergy: Reverend Paul Huso
Interment: Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay, Minnesota
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota