Balsiger, Lucille

Lucille Balsiger, 93, of Monticello, died Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, at the Shady Rest Care Center, Cascade. Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. Al Polito will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Goettsch Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the spring for family unable to attend now.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.

Thoughts, Memories and Condolences may be left at .

Surviving are two children, Nancy Gray and fiancée, Bruce Smith, of Monticello, and Robert (Patti) Balsiger of Cedar Falls; a daughter-in-law, Christine Muldoon of Phoenix; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lois Cantrell of Cherry Valley, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Herbert in 1990; a son, William in 2006; four brothers, Vernon, Colin, Johnnie and Stanley Tschantz; two sisters, Edna Tschantz and Kathleen Bassett.

Lucille Emmaline Tschantz was born Jan. 6, 1917, in Castle Grove Township in Jones County. She was the daughter of John and Mary Rickels Tschantz. She received her early education in Castle Grove Township School #9 and graduated from the Monticello Community Schools in 1934. Lucille then taught at Castle Grove School #9 and half time at Lovell #7. Lucille Tschantz and Herbert Balsiger were married May 15, 1938, at the First Presbyterian Church, Monticello. The couple farmed on the Balsiger farm in Richland Township for 25 years. In 1963, the couple moved to their home on Birch Street. Lucille then worked at the Truck Stop, the Dairy Mart, and John McDonald Hospital. She was the food service supervisor at the Senior Home for 12 ½ years.

Lucille had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church since 1933. She was president of the Presbyterian Women's organization three times. Lucille served as a Deacon for three years and church treasurer for 10 years. She was also a Sunday school teacher, worship leader, circle chairwomen and helped on the pie committee. While on the farm, she was a Township Chairwomen for Farm Bureau for 10 years and a 4 H Leader for five years. Lucille enjoyed quilting in her spare time. She taught quilting and chaired the committee making the Monticello Sesquicentennial Quilt in 1986.