Balk, Lawrence 'Junior'

Lawrence “Junior” Balk, 69, of New Hampton, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, at his home in New Hampton. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Holy Family Parish- St. Mary's Center in New Hampton with Father Mark Osterhaus celebrating the mass. Burial will be held at a later date in St. Mary's Cemetery, Waucoma. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, with a 5 p.m. rosary at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation will continue at St. Mary's Center one hour before the mass Saturday.

Online condolences may be left for Junior's family at .

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Lawrence Balk Jr. was born on Jan. 4, 1943, to Lawrence and Margaret (Sabelka) Balk in New Hampton. He attended school in Waucoma, Iowa. Junior was employed by Deco Products in Decorah, and at Sara Lee in New Hampton all the while he farmed between Lawler and Waucoma. He was an avid farmer for over 30 years and loved to collect and share with his Toy Farmer family. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waucoma and New Hampton. Junior also was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.

Junior is survived by his brothers, Gary (Mary) Balk of Minneapolis, Minn., Terry (Sharon) Balk of Waucoma, and Kenneth (Julie) Balk of West Union; his sister, Sue Balk Bentz of Burnsville, Minn.; as well as nine nieces and nephews, Katherine (Dan) Benson, David Balk, Eric Balk, Sarah (Ryan) Ries, Bryan Bentz, Kyle Bentz, Troy Bentz, Matthew (Amy) Balk and Joseph Balk; one great-niece; and one great-nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charles Balk; and his nephew, Michael Balk.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 29, 2012.

Updated online only Aug. 29.