Roy was born on June 5, 1918, on the family farm near Rothsay, the son of Julius and Emma (Fosse) Balken. Growing up, he worked on the family farm and attended school at District 5 country school. Later, he worked for several local farmers. He worked in the Civilian Conservation Corp training program.
In 1940, he married Ione Lein of rural Rothsay. Roy worked as a mechanic for Lindberg Motors of Rothsay while Ione taught rural school.
In 1942, the family moved to Tacoma, Wash., where Roy worked in the shipyards, helping build military ships. In 1944, the family moved back to Rothsay and Roy entered the United States Army. During that time, Ione lived with her parents, Ottin and Edith Lein, while she taught in various schools in the area.
Upon being discharged from the Army, Roy went to work for Harvey Morrill road construction, driving heavy equipment. In 1948, he purchased farm land and also took over the Lein farm from Ione's parents.
Besides small grain farming, they raised chickens and built up a dairy herd. He farmed actively until 1983.
He loved farming, John Deere tractors, playing cards and visiting with family and friends. Roy was an active member of the Foxhome Sportsman's Club, Rothsay American Legion Post, Rothsay Lions and was a member of Hamar Lutheran Church, serving in several capacities on the church board.
Roy was a loving, cheerful family man and friend. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Ione; siblings, Eunice Bergerud, William, Fred, Evelyn Bilden, Lester, Leonard and an infant brother that died at birth; brothers-in-law, Morris Bergerud, Robert (Jane) Griffin, Don (Clarice) Barrett; sisters-in-law, Joyce (Earnest) Balken, Irene (Vernon) Balken and daughters-in-law, Sharon Balken and Cheri Balken.
Visitation: Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:45 p.m., at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Wednesday, at New Life Lutheran Parish, Hamar church, Rothsay
Clergy: Rev. Paul Huso
Burial: Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay
Funeral Home: Grina Funeral Home, Rothsay
www.olsonfuneralhome.com
Fergus Falls Daily Journal November 17, 2008
Roy was born on June 5, 1918, on the family farm near Rothsay, the son of Julius and Emma (Fosse) Balken. Growing up, he worked on the family farm and attended school at District 5 country school. Later, he worked for several local farmers. He worked in the Civilian Conservation Corp training program.
In 1940, he married Ione Lein of rural Rothsay. Roy worked as a mechanic for Lindberg Motors of Rothsay while Ione taught rural school.
In 1942, the family moved to Tacoma, Wash., where Roy worked in the shipyards, helping build military ships. In 1944, the family moved back to Rothsay and Roy entered the United States Army. During that time, Ione lived with her parents, Ottin and Edith Lein, while she taught in various schools in the area.
Upon being discharged from the Army, Roy went to work for Harvey Morrill road construction, driving heavy equipment. In 1948, he purchased farm land and also took over the Lein farm from Ione's parents.
Besides small grain farming, they raised chickens and built up a dairy herd. He farmed actively until 1983.
He loved farming, John Deere tractors, playing cards and visiting with family and friends. Roy was an active member of the Foxhome Sportsman's Club, Rothsay American Legion Post, Rothsay Lions and was a member of Hamar Lutheran Church, serving in several capacities on the church board.
Roy was a loving, cheerful family man and friend. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Ione; siblings, Eunice Bergerud, William, Fred, Evelyn Bilden, Lester, Leonard and an infant brother that died at birth; brothers-in-law, Morris Bergerud, Robert (Jane) Griffin, Don (Clarice) Barrett; sisters-in-law, Joyce (Earnest) Balken, Irene (Vernon) Balken and daughters-in-law, Sharon Balken and Cheri Balken.
Visitation: Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:45 p.m., at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Wednesday, at New Life Lutheran Parish, Hamar church, Rothsay
Clergy: Rev. Paul Huso
Burial: Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay
Funeral Home: Grina Funeral Home, Rothsay
www.olsonfuneralhome.com
Fergus Falls Daily Journal November 17, 2008
Family Members
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Eunice Myrtle Balken Bergerud
1907–1996
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William Arthur "Bill" Balken
1909–1990
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Frederick Julian "Fred" Balken
1912–1990
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Evelyn Jenora Balken Bilden
1914–1984
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Lester Harold Balken
1916–1977
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Clarice Marion Balken Barrett
1920–2017
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Albert "Leonard" Balken
1921–1998
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Vernon Floyd Balken
1923–2012
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Jane Carol Balken Griffin
1925–2019
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Earnest Jewell "Earnie" Balken
1928–2014
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Baby Boy Balken
1929–1929
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Jerome Duane "Jerry" Balken
1932–2017
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