Wayne Lawrence Balmer

Wayne Lawrence Balmer

Iowa City

Wayne Lawrence Balmer, 94, died peacefully after a short illness on July 14, 2022, at The Bird House in Iowa City.

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Aug. 27, at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Department of Communication Sciences and Audiology c/o The University of Iowa Center for Advancement, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52242-4550.

Wayne was born on April 1, 1928, in Kellogg, Iowa, to Clara (Brooks) and John W. Balmer, the youngest of four children. After graduating from Kellogg High School, Wayne attended the University of Iowa and returned to Kellogg to farm until 1958. Wayne and his family moved to Iowa City to work at Plumbers Supply Co., now PSC Distribution, a business started by his in-laws in 1951. Wayne was president of Plumbers Supply Company for 30 years.

On Dec. 15, 1947, Wayne married NoraLee Nesmith.

Wayne was known for his “incomparable work ethic,” Wayne continued to work on the farm and at PSC Distribution long after officially retiring. He was loved for his humble commitment to family and his abiding devotion to NoraLee over 74 years of marriage. Those who know him best remember him as a selfless, empathetic, compassionate and tenacious man.

Wayne is survived by his beloved wife, NoraLee (Nesmith); children, John (Penny) Balmer, James (Andrea) Balmer and Mary Balmer; grandchildren, Thomas (DaLayne) Williamson) Balmer, Katherine (Jeff) Penland, Betsy (Greg) Kaiser, David R. Balmer, Ben (Sarah) Freeman, Jennie (Ben) Wunderlich, Julie (Ben) Tweedt, Sally (Erik) Wolf and Matthew Gessner; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, David Scott Balmer; his parents; his three older siblings; and his in-law, James and Gladys (McIntosh) Nesmith.

Online condolences may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.