Mabel Balster

Little Rock, IA

     Mabel Balster, age 95 1/2 of Little Rock, Iowa died Monday, June 24, 2024 the Good Samaritan Society in George.

     Funeral services will be 1:30 PM, Saturday, June 29, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock with Pastor Steve Anderson, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery at Little Rock.

     Visitation will be Friday, June 28th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with the family present at the First Presbyterian Church of Little Rock.

     Mabel Balster was born November 28, 1928 at her parents’ home in Osceola County, Iowa to Jacob and Tena (Ebbinga) Stratemeier.  She received her education through 8th grade. 

     On September 24, 1947, she was united in marriage to Harry Balster at the parsonage of the Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, Iowa.  The couple made their home in the Little Rock area.  To this union five children were born.  In 1959, Harry and Mabel bought the Balster home farmstead West of Little Rock.  Harry and Mabel did a lot of traveling by bus throughout the United States and Canada and added up 35,000 miles of road time.  They really enjoyed traveling together.  Mabel was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock since 1948, making her the oldest member.  She was also a lifetime member of women’s Auxiliary.  Harry and Mabel retired from farming in 1988 and moved to Little Rock.  To keep busy the couple made hundreds of quilts for missions through the church.  A highlight for the family was a reunion in 2010, all 70 of their family were in attendance.

     After Harry passed away in 2011, Mabel moved to Heartwood Heights in Sibley, Iowa.  She loved her home there for the past 5 years.  She loved the people and all the card games and dice games.

    Mabel passed away Monday, June 24, 2024, at the George Good Samaritan Society at the age of 95 ½ years old.

     Mabel is survived by her three daughters, Sharon (Richard) Lode of Sioux Rapids, IA, Rosalie (Arlan) Arends of Little Rock, IA and Joyce (Brian) Gengler of Adrian, MN; daughter-in-law, Judy VerMeer of Lester, IA; son-in-law, Donny Fritz of Pipestone, MN; nineteen grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; along with many extended family and friends.
      She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry in January of 2011; son, Virgil Harris Balster in February of 1973; daughter, Peggy Sue Fritz in July of 2006; parents, Jacob and Tena Stratmeier; siblings, Jessie Funk, Fannie Gruis, Grace Russman, Marie Hassebroek, Margaret Bergman, Jake Stratmeier, and William Stratmeier.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Mabel Balster, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.