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Balzar Stach, Jr. • 1923 - 2008 Balzar Michael Stach, Jr. was born January 22, 1923, in Foxholm, ND, the son of Balzar Sr. and Rose (Ackerman) Stach. He was raised in Foxholm and graduated from Foxholm High School in 1941. He was baptized, confirmed and served as an altar boy at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Foxholm. As a young man, he enjoyed participating in high school basketball and was a talented self-taught musician who played the piano and accordion with his brothers. Balzar enlisted in the United States Army February 25, 1943,
at Fort Snelling, MN. He proudly served his country in the medical
ambulance battalion during WWII overseas at Normandy, Northern
France, and Rhineland. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze
Star and Good Conduct Medals. Balzar married Evelyn Nienow August
9, 1943, in Dothan, AL. They were stationed at Camp Rucker, AL,
and later in Durham, NC. He was honorably discharged November
9, 1945. Following his honorable discharge, they returned to North Dakota to pursue the American Dream and built their home in Minot, where they raised their three children. Balzar worked as a clerk for the Minot Post Office where he received numerous awards for his outstanding performance. He retired in January of 1978, after 30 years of service. He had also worked for Sears during that time. Following his retirement, he drove delivery truck for Minot Laundry for ten years. He had also held various other jobs in Minot. Balzar was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #753, and the Disabled American Veterans, all of Minot. Balzar was a fun-loving, high energy individual. In his youth he enjoyed music, fishing, and hunting. In later years, he spent his time maintaining a beautiful lawn and garden. He proudly shared his harvest with all he knew. He was a true "Mr. Fix-it" who could fix anything and was always there to help anyone needing help. Balzar was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who cared deeply for his family. He will be dearly missed by all those who had the great privilege of knowing him. His loving family includes: wife of 65 years, Evelyn, Minot; son, Gary (Marilyn) Stach, Minot; daughters, Marianne (Willy) Klein, and Kathy Grina; grandchildren, Michelle (Dave) Goodman and Terri Stach; Kristi (Dean) Feist and Tiffany Marking; and Justin Grina; great-grandchildren, Mikaylyn, Erik, Wyatt Goodman; and Ethan, Cody and Gracie Feist; brothers, Charlie, Raymond, and Ollie "Al" Stach, all of Seattle, WA; many nieces, nephews and three special cousins, Sharon Tofteland, Benedict, Candy Demchuk, Bismarck, and Wendy Kinn, Max. Balzar was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; brothers, John, Otto, and Phillip Stach; and sister, Katie Mosser. Funeral: Monday, December 29, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at
Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. To sign the online guest register
for Balzar |
Balzar
Stach, Jr., 85, Minot, ND, died Thursday, December 25, 2008,
in a Minot hospital.