|
Sealy News 20 Jul 2001 Funeral services will be July 20 at 10 a.m. at Welcome Lutheran Church with Rev. Alvin Luedke officiating. Burial will follow in Welcome Lutheran Cemetery under the auspices of Bellville Chapter #652, Order of the Eastern Star. Pallbearers are Tom Arnold, Darrell Kolwes, Charles Balke Jr., Virgil Acker Jr., Greg Buenger, Bruce Buenger, Jerrell Schovajsa, Otto Acker Jr. and Paul Burnside. Honorary pallbearers are Stanley Jurchak, Kermitt Kolwes, Jimmie Buenger and Charles Oakley along with the members of the Bellville Chapter #652, Order of the Eastern Star and the Bellville Extension Education Club. Celesta was born Aug. 18, 1916, in Bleiblerville to Herman and Malinda Warmke Albert. Her parents were owners of the H.J. Albert General Store of Bleiblerville. She attended Victoria School in Bleiblerville and graduated from Industry High School. Celesta married Casper Balke on October 10, 1936, at Welcome Lutheran Church. They made their home in Bleiblerville their entire married life. A lifelong member of Welcome Church, Celesta was active in the Mary- Martha Circle and the Altar Society. She was also a member of the Bleiblerville-Nelsonville SPJST Lodge, Bleiblerville Extension Education Club, and a member and Past Worthy Matron of the Bellville Chapter #652, Order of the Eastern Star. She also belonged to the Bellville and Industry historical societies, West End Lioness Club, Woodmen of the World, Brenham Chapter of NAFRE, the Minnie B. Williams Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Bluebonnet Society. She was a charter member of the Texas Rural Electric Women's Association. Celesta's ability to help others, her unconditional love to all she knew and her being a role model to family and friends will always be cherished memories. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she dearly loved her family and those she met in the Balke Store. She also cherished the friends and family she made while serving as postmaster of the Bleiblerville U.S. Post Office, retiring after 41 years of service. Celesta lived her life as a lady, with dignity and compassion for others. With Casper, the love of her life, they helped those less fortunate and encouraged others to pursue their dreams. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Mrs. R.E. (Ena) Kolwes and Mrs. Frank (Lola) Jurchak. She is survived by her husband of more than 64 years, Casper Balke of Bleiblerville; two sons and daughter-in-laws, Byron and Annette Balke and James and Carolyn Balke, all of Bleiblerville; a daughter, Marian Celesta Balke of Bay City; six grandchildren, Kelly Balke, Susan Balke, Virgil and Lee Ann Balke, Tom and Phyllis Arnold; three great- grandchildren, Amy Balke, Sam Arnold, Jacob Arnold; and many other friends and relatives. Friends may make memorial gifts to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 6977 Main Street, Houston, 77030, Bleiblerville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 151, Bleiblerville, 78931 or to the Bellville Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 977, Bellville, 77418. Schmidt Funeral Home of Bellville was in charge of arrangements.
Submitted by Steve Alvarez Posted by Matt Cross
|