Alvera D. Balster, 92, Ellsworth, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center.
A private funeral service was Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. Burial was in the Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth.
Alvera Wentler was born Dec. 6, 1928, to Emra and Verna (Horton) Wentler in Appleton.
Alvera married Lyle Balster on April 23, 1948, in LeMars, Iowa. After their marriage the couple farmed near Little Rock, Iowa. In 1963 they bought a farm near Adrian which they farmed until 1991. They retired in Ellsworth. On Dec. 27, 2003, they moved into their new home back on the farm. The last year of her life, Alvera moved into her son’s home in Adrian.
Alvera was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock and then the Zion Presbyterian church in Ellsworth when they retired. She enjoyed working on the farm with Lyle and kept a large garden. She enjoyed camping, bingo, playing cards, motorcycle riding, and especially time with her family.
Alvera is survived by five daughters, Carol (Ray) Van Wyhe of Luverne, Barbara (Bob) Dreke of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Brenda (Steve) Hoffman of Rock Rapids, Lila (Glenn) Erlandson of Rushmore, and Lola (Paul) Donth of Rock Rapids; a son, Larry (Sharon) Balster of Adrian; 21 grandchildren, Randy (Marcia) Mulder, Pamela (Drew) Likiness, Melissa (Mark) Ayers, Tony (Julie) Mulder, Travis (Tara Lyle) Dreke, Kyle (Megan) Dreke, Curt (Carle) Hoffman, Coreen (James) Montag, Mindy (Ryan) Farsdale, Nathan (Abby) Erlandson, Carmen (Jared) Henriksen, Eric (Janel) Berning, Jessica’s husband, Heybo Julius, Jeremy Balster, Tara (Corey) Leuttel, Jordan (Brandi) Balster, Jana (Kenny) Willers, Jaden (Molly) Balster, Judy Top, Rick Van Wyhe, Dusty Donth and Bradley Donth; 46 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; a twin sister, Alvina Breuer of Sibley, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Mabel Balster of Sibley.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lyle, on Nov. 4, 2004; a son-in-law, Dallas Mulder; two granddaughters, Jessica Julius and Connie Van Wyhe; grandson-in-law Bill Top; three brothers, Raymond, Lawrence and Davin Wentler; and five sisters, Gladys Brumly, Lorraine Grubaugh, Doris Allard, Alice Stevenson, and Geraldine Wentler McCarthy.
Arrangements were provided by Dingmann Funeral Home of Luverne, dingmannandsons.com.
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