Marie Balzer died Dec. 4, 2011 at 98. She was born May 18, 1913 in Puchkovo, Russia to Gerhard Poetker and Maria Wiens. The family fled to Kuban when their mill was confiscated, and immigrated to Canada in 1924. They settled in Colonsay, Sask. Marie gave her life to Jesus, and was baptized at 18 into Philadelphia MB Church, Watrous, Sask., June 14, 1931. She married John Balzer in 1933. They purchased a dairy farm in Arnold, B.C., and became members of Arnold MB Church, where Marie loved to serve through music. Marie worked hard cooking and sewing. She enjoyed reading, especially the Bible. Marie had a sense of humour. She loved the farm and was sad when John’s heart problems necessitated a move to Clearbrook, B.C. Marie was a member of Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C. Predeceased by John in 1998, daughter Betty, daughter-in-law Margarita, grandsons Bob Schellenberg, Matthew Giesbrecht, siblings; Marie is mourned by children Erika (Arnold) Schellenberg, John (Doreen), Edith (Jerry) Neufeldt, Dorothy (Wes) Giesbrecht, Edward (Ev), Ruth (Dave) Ratzlaff, Gordon; 23 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; 1 sister.
