Donald E. Balster
January 30, 1932 — August 16, 2016
Donald “Don” Edward Balster, 84, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at his home. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Longbranch of Best Western on Saturday, August 20, 2016, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion, is assisting the family.
Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Llewellyn (Boo) Balster of Marion; his daughters, Martha (David) Balster Haynes of Marquette, Michigan and Jane Balster of Bloomington, Minnesota; grandsons, Evan Balster of Ames and Benjamin Balster of Hiawatha; granddaughter, Michelle (Josh) Zumbach of Palo; great-grandson, Lyndon Zumbach of Palo; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Verne and Ellen Balster; sisters, Mary Bresnahan and Joanne Allender; brother, Verne L. Balster; and son, Vern Henry Balster.
Don was born on January 30, 1932, in Marion, the son of Verne and Ellen Balster. He attended Loras Academy and the University of Iowa. He served in the United States Army. In 1956, he started working at Balster’s Furniture in Marion and then assumed ownership in 1962. Don operated the store for over 30 years. On February 7, 1959, he married Llewellyn (Boo) Jury Balster in Iowa City. In 1992, the business closed and he retired, spending the last 20+ years wintering in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He was a member of the X-Club of Cedar Rapids, Quiet Birdmen, Marion Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, and service clubs. He was also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion. He served on the Iowa Judicial Nominating Committee for six years. Don earned his pilot’s license in 1964 and continued to fly until his retirement.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Friends of Iowa Public Television Foundation, P. O. Box 6400, Johnson, Iowa 50131, Attention: Connie, or to the Blesie Tree at the Ghosh Cancer Center, 1951 51st Street NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Llewellyn (Boo) Balster of Marion; his daughters, Martha (David) Balster Haynes of Marquette, Michigan and Jane Balster of Bloomington, Minnesota; grandsons, Evan Balster of Ames and Benjamin Balster of Hiawatha; granddaughter, Michelle (Josh) Zumbach of Palo; great-grandson, Lyndon Zumbach of Palo; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Verne and Ellen Balster; sisters, Mary Bresnahan and Joanne Allender; brother, Verne L. Balster; and son, Vern Henry Balster.
Don was born on January 30, 1932, in Marion, the son of Verne and Ellen Balster. He attended Loras Academy and the University of Iowa. He served in the United States Army. In 1956, he started working at Balster’s Furniture in Marion and then assumed ownership in 1962. Don operated the store for over 30 years. On February 7, 1959, he married Llewellyn (Boo) Jury Balster in Iowa City. In 1992, the business closed and he retired, spending the last 20+ years wintering in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He was a member of the X-Club of Cedar Rapids, Quiet Birdmen, Marion Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, and service clubs. He was also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion. He served on the Iowa Judicial Nominating Committee for six years. Don earned his pilot’s license in 1964 and continued to fly until his retirement.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Friends of Iowa Public Television Foundation, P. O. Box 6400, Johnson, Iowa 50131, Attention: Connie, or to the Blesie Tree at the Ghosh Cancer Center, 1951 51st Street NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald E. Balster, please visit our flower store.