Nadine S. Balch

Nadine Balch was born on October 17, 1925, at Longton, Kansas, to Alva and Hazel (Bacus) Strangle, and died Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at the Jewell County Hospital, Mankato, Kansas, at the age of 81 years, and 3 months.



She graduated form Moline High School, and attended Wichita Business College.  She worked for Federal Housing in Wichita during World War II.



She married George Balch on July 11, 1943, in Concordia, Kansas.  Nadine was a homemaker until the children were in school, then returned to school where she acquired an LPN.  She enjoyed working as a nurse.



Nadine was active in the Mankato Senior Center, Formoso Senior Citizens, was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary, Montrose United Methodist Church, and a 50-year member of Order of the Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by two sons:  Larry Dean and George Jr.; her parents; two brothers; and one sister.



Survivors, besides her husband of Formoso, Kansas; are two sons - Robert  Balch, and Gregory and wife, Lynette Balch, all of Woodward, Oklahoma;  three daughters - Barbara and husband, Dr. Luke San of Farmville, Virginia, Janet and husband Larry Pope of Boalgate, Oklahoma, and Sheryl and husband, William Raphael of Mustang, Oklahoma; six grandsons - Wesley San, Justin and wife, Alisha Pope, Brian Pope, Garrett Balch, Ryan Balch, and Hunter Raphael; and one granddaughter, Wendy San.



A celebration of life service for Nadine Balch was held Saturday, January 20, 2007, at the Montrose United Methodist Church, rural Mankato, Kansas, at 2:00 p.m., with Pastor Jime Rice officiating.  Music was provided by Mrs. Pat Wright, pianist, and Phillip Menhusen sang "Amazing Grace" and "His Eyes on the Sparrow."  Casket bearers were:  Justin Pope, Brian Pope, Garrett Balch, Ryan Balch, Steve Dunstan, Jeff Keeler.  Interment was in the Balch Cemetery, Formoso, Kansas.  The family suggests memorials be made to the Montrose United Methodist Church, or Mankato Senior Center Cook's Fund.  Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.