JAMES LEO BALSTER, age 71, of Wilmont, died Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. He was born February 13, 1950, in Worthington, to Leo and Inez (Bruns) Balster. He graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic High School in 1968; and later attended Worthington Junior College.

Jim married Marcie Diekmann on May 29, 1976, at St. Kilian Catholic Church. The couple lived in Wilmont. Jim began farming with his father. He later worked for Wally Stuntebeck Construction in Wilmont. Jim started Balster Construction in 1972 and was working up to his death.

He was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Wilmont; the Wilmont Volunteer Fire Department; the Wilmont City Council and the Wilmont Sportsman Club. He enjoyed the patience and contemplation of dark-house ice fishing, the satisfaction of building for friends and neighbors, and had a passion for the natural beauty of farming. Jim's craftsmanship can be seen throughout Wilmont and in many of the surrounding farms and communities.  He was a devoted son who helped care for his aging parents.  This was exemplified by his almost daily visits to his mother Inez who resided in a nursing home for 14 years.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marcie Balster, Wilmont; three children, Chadwick (Gretchen Andres) Balster, Louisville, KY; Nicholas (Pamela Offret) Balster, Portland, OR; and Josie (Zan) Moore, Mosier, OR; three grandchildren, Amorin, Ravi and Anika Moore; and four siblings, Marian (Joe) Hibma, Ocheyedan, IA; Jane Eldal, Omaha, NE; Carol (Vernon) Bell, Big Stone City, SD; and Dale Balster, Bingham Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Vivian Balster.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 18, from 4-7 pm, with Parish Prayers at 4 pm, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Wilmont. Visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Friday, Nov. 19 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, in Wilmont, officiated by Monsignor Richard Colletti. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Wilmont.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Wilmont Fire Department or the Wilmont Community Center.

Dingmann Funeral Home, in Wilmont, is in charge of arrangements.