WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Cherished and beloved child of God, Phyllis Joy Balzer, age 84, of Sturgis, died on Monday, June 12, 2023, at her home, with her husband and family by her side.
Phyllis was born on January 11, 1939 to Elmer and Leona Behnke, in Bay City, Michigan. As a lifelong member of the Lutheran church, she was baptized on January 29, 1939, and attended Lutheran schools her entire life: first at Trinity Monitor, in Bay City, where her father was one of her teachers and where she was confirmed in her faith in 1953. Phyllis then attended boarding high school, at the Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, where she met her future husband, James Balzer, and the two of them enjoyed singing together in a traveling, a cappella choir. Phyllis went on to attend Concordia College, River Forest, Illinois, to become a teacher.
Phyllis and James married on July 16, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Bay City. They raised their four children, Craig, Bryan, Pam, and Amy, dedicating them to the Lord. When Phyllis was not busy being a Den Mother in Cub Scouts, or doing crafts and baking homemade cinnamon rolls, she still managed to teach in the classroom. She taught at Lutheran schools in Conroy, Iowa, and Auburn, Michigan, before coming to Sturgis in 1975, to help James establish a school, with Phyllis being the first preschool teacher, at Trinity Lutheran Church. She then taught preschool at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Saginaw, and Concordia Theological Seminary, in Fort Wayne. Over her teaching career, spent primarily in preschool, she touched the lives of over 1,000 little ones – teaching them about Jesus’ love. Her children are forever grateful to have had her for their first teacher.
Phyllis is survived by: her husband, James; her son Bryan (Gina) Balzer, of Blair, Nebraska, daughters Pamela (Brian) Reed, of Colon, and Amy Jo (Bill) Balzer-Pemberton, of Ypsilanti; daughter in law Sally Balzer, of Howe, Indiana, and former daughter in law Jo Ann Balzer, of Sturgis; four grandsons, Alex Balzer, Thomas Wrona, Cooper Wrona, and Liam Pemberton; one great grandson, Mikah Wrona; three step grandchildren, Brianne Moores, Austin Reed, and Maria Buscher; and four step great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers, Alan (Sue) Behnke, of Midlothian, Virginia, and Bruce (Judy) Behnke, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Leona Behnke, and her son, Craig Balzer, who she is now rejoicing with, in heaven.
Phyllis enjoyed years of being active in church groups, playing the piano, and giving piano lessons, scouring magazines for new recipes to try, and knitting and crocheting. You knew you were loved if Phyllis made you a pair of slippers, mittens, or a dish towel.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Friday, June 23rd at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St. in Sturgis and from 10:00-11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 24th at the Trinity Lutheran in Sturgis where immediately following the visitation, funeral services celebrating the life of Phyllis Joy Balzer that will begin at 11:00 A.M. The Revs. John Mueller and Calvin Kolzow will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Balzer’s memory consider Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Worship Anew, 5 Martin Luther Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46825.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
