ALVERA D. BALSTER, age 92, of Ellsworth, died Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. She was born December 6, 1928, in Appleton, MN, to Emra and Verna (Horton) Wentler.
Alvera married Lyle Balster on April 23, 1948 at LeMars, IA. After their marriage, the couple farmed near Little Rock, IA. In 1963, they bought the farm near Adrian, which they farmed until 1991. They retired in Ellsworth. On December 27, 2003, they moved into their new home back on the farm. The last year of her life, she moved into her son’s home in town in Adrian.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, IA; until retiring to Ellsworth, and then became a member of the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. Alvera enjoyed working on the farm with Lyle. She had a large garden to provide for her family. She enjoyed camping, Bingo, playing cards, motorcycle riding and especially time with her family.
Alvera is survived by her five daughters, Carol (Ray) Van Wyhe, Luverne; Barbara (Bob) Dreke, Rock Rapids, IA; Brenda (Steve) Hoffman, Rock Rapids, IA; Lila (Glenn) Erlandson, Rushmore; and Lola (Paul) Donth, Rock Rapids, IA; a son, Larry (Sharon) Balster, Adrian; twenty one 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; forty six great-grandchildren; eleven great great-grandchildren; a twin sister, Alvina Breuer, Sibley, IA; and a sister-in-law, Mabel Balster, Sibley, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lyle on November 4, 2004; a son-in-law, Dallas Mulder in 1988; two granddaughters, Jessica Julius in 2016 and Connie Van Wyhe in 1998; an infant great-grandson, Robert Lyle Dreke; Judy’s husband, Bill Top in 2017; three brothers, Raymond, Lawrence and Davin Wentler; and five sisters, Gladys Brumly, Lorraine Grubaugh, Doris Allard, Alice Stevenson, and Geraline Wentler McCarthy.
A private family service will take place on Saturday at the Zion Presbyterian Church, in Ellsworth, officiated by Pastor David Choate. Burial will be in the Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth.
Dingmann Funeral Home, in Adrian, is in charge of arrangements.
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