Mary Jean Balsamo, 87, of Dubuque died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Luther Manor surrounded by her loving daughters. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 pm Monday at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road where there will be a rosary said at 3PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Steve Rosonke officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Mom was born July 1, 1929 in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of Jerome and Helen (Westemeier) Ernster. She graduated from Xavier High School in Dyersville. Mary met Anthony J. (Tony) Balsamo when they both worked at the Dubuque Packing Co.; they got married in Galena, Ill on November 6, 1950. He preceded her in death on November 25, 1998, just before they celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Mom was a member of St. Anthony’s Church and St. Jude’s Circle. She was an avid quilter and hosted her quilting friends twice a week in her home for many years. The proceeds from their quilting went to St. Anthony’s and to various charities and several local families in need. She had a quilt on the frame at all times and she enjoyed the grandchildren playing under them as she quilted.
Mom and Dad loved to travel together and visited every state but Alaska. She gave her time freely to various non-profits as long as we can remember and was a frequent blood donor to the American Red Cross. She was also a member of Catholic Daughters of America, Third Order of St. Francis, and a Franciscan associate.
Mom loved to have people around her and was rarely found at home before she lost her ability to drive. She loved playing cards and bingo and taught her kids and grandkids many games, especially Scrabble.
After her children went to school, she worked as a teacher’s aide in the Dubuque Community Schools, then did clerical work for Divine Word Seminary for several years.
She is survived by three daughters, Linda Duehr, Susan (Dan Nichols) Balsamo and Nancy (Jim) Westhoff, all of Dubuque; six grandchildren, Jenni McCann, John (Lisa) McCann III, Jeremie (Kristi) Nichols, Lindsay (Nick) Doland, Meggan (Chris) Gorrell, and Shelly (Marc) Runde; 14 great grandchildren; three sisters, JoAnne Lehmann of Epworth, Marge (Delbert) Olberding of Dyersville and Judy Gempler of Edina, Minn.; a brother, Jerry (Janel) Ernster of Birch Bay, Wash.; and her faithful friend and companion who is also a dear friend of the family, David Blake.
Many people will remember Mom for her friendly smile and quick wit. She will missed terribly by her family and many others. No one deserves a more restful and peaceful eternity.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and in-laws; son in law, Brian Brewster, and brothers in law, Bill Lehmann and Charles Bergfeld, nephew Kenneth Bergfeld and niece Annie Jo Gempler.
We thank Dr. Regan Wolbers and her nurse Laurie for their kind care of Mom for many years, and the staffs of Luther Manor and Sunset Park Place and Hospice of Dubuque.
For further information, or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.egelhofsigertcasper.com.
In lieu of flowers, a Mary Balsamo Memorial Fund has been established.