[ad_1]
NORWAY – Joan Marie Bal, 87, of Norway, died on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Lakeway, Texas.
Joan was born in Norway on February 19, 1934, to the late Leo and Marie (Sturm) Bertolini.
After graduating from Norway High School in 1952, Joan worked for Norway Current newspaper and printing company for about four years before joining wholesale grocery distributor Northland.
On April 22, 1961, Joan married Walter Paul Bal and moved to Milwaukee. In Milwaukee, Joan raised their daughters as a Brownie Leader and helping their Girl Scout troop.
In 1973, Wally accepted a temporary assignment at Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and they left.
During their year in Florida, Joan and Wally began square dancing, with Joan using her tailoring skills to make their costumes. In 1975 the family moved to Indianapolis. In Indianapolis, many hours were spent playing Euchre with their neighbors. As her daughters left for college, Joan resumed her career working at Fulton Junior High School for 15 years.
Upon retirement, Joan and Wally returned home to Norway. Joan was a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church, the Women of St Mary’s, the Women’s Auxiliary for the American Legion Post 145 and the Norway Women’s Club. She loved to knit and crochet afghans for everyone in the family. For the past 13 years, Joan has served as Chair of the Dickinson Area Community Foundation Walter Bal Fellowship. Joan’s last years were spent in Austin, Texas.
Joan possessed a fierce determination with all the challenges she faced. She earned her honorary nursing degree while caring for Wally in her later years. She bravely faced her own diminishing mobility and possible paraplegia. She was very proud of her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her later years, Joan enjoyed dining out, bingo, exercise classes, going out with grandson Jon and FaceTime with granddaughter Katie and great grandchildren Addison and Brianne.
Joan is survived by her daughters, Linda Bal of Austin and Diane (Larry) Frantz of Carmel, Ind .; grandchildren, Katie (Josh) Tummers of Louisville, Ken. and Jon Frantz of Fishers, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Addison and Brianne Tummers; in-laws, Bernice Bal, Marie Bal, Marie Devine, Patsy (William) Zanona, Marge Meneghini, Dorothy Manke, George (Betty) Bal and Helen Galleger; many special nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Wally; his parents; brothers, Leo Bertolini Jr. and Robert Bertolini; in-laws, John Bal, Joseph and Margie Bal, Edward Bal, Robert Devine and Lee Meneghini.
The family suggests that memorial donations can be made in his memory to DACF, the Norwegian affiliate for the Walter Bal Fellowship, 220A East Hughitt St., Iron Mountain, MI. 49801.
Visitations will be held on Saturday, September 25 from 9:30 am to 11 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norway.
The Christian burial mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 am at the church with Fr. Martin Flynn officiating.
Interment will follow in the Norway township cemetery.
Condolences to Joan’s family can be expressed online at www.ortmanfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements announced by Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.
[ad_2]
Source link