Nancy Balch

Nancy Balch, 63, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed peacefully into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, August 05, 2014, at Cass County Memorial Hospital.

She was born to John and Edna Balch of Bedford, Iowa on August 3, 1951, the third of five children. The family moved to Atlantic, Iowa when Nancy was in 7th grade. She graduated from Atlantic High School in 1969 and then attended Americana Academy of Beauty in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating in 1970. Nancy worked as a hairdresser for almost ten years in Iowa and Montana. For 4 1/2 years she lived in Missoula and Billings, Montana helping out and being "a second mom" to her two nephews and one niece there. She was later employed for 18 1/2 years at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa in ER Admissions, retiring in 2011.

Nancy was a cancer survivor and no matter what health obstacles she dealt with over the past 19 years, she always kept a positive attitude. She had a heart for Relay for Life and headed up a team for several years where she enjoyed using her baking skills to help with fund raising.

She never met a stranger and was genuinely interested in other people and their lives. Her great sense of humor and storytelling made life fun. Nancy had a special gift of relating to children whether at work or with her nieces and nephews and delighted in planning special birthday parties or making "birthday boxes" for other children. She was a loving caregiver for many years to her mother.

Some of Nancy's interests were oil painting, crossword puzzles, and writing stories. She was a fantastic cook and delighted in sharing food and recipes with family and friends. She loved music, especially Classic Rock and Gospel music; a favorite was the Gaither Music Videos.

Nancy is survived by her sisters, Linda Kay Balch of Atlantic, Iowa, and Margaret (Rick) Norman of Stevensville, Montana; brothers, John Michael (Jocey) Balch of Atlantic, Iowa and Randy Balch of Des Moines, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Toby (Tara) Norman and their children, Kensley, Connor and Caden of Grove City, Pennsylvania, Stephanie (Jason) Holley and their children, Kalista and Kyler of Bridgeport, Texas, Melissa Balch and her children, Corbin, RJ and Mason of Atlantic, Iowa, Shane Balch of the San Antonio, Texas area, Bethany (Pablo) Calderon and their daughter, Carolina of Baltimore, Maryland, and Jason Humphrey of Coralville, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Edna Balch and her beloved nephew, Andrew Norman.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 8, 2014, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Committal services will take place in Athelstan Cemetery, southeast of Bedford, Iowa.

Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 7, 2014, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Roland Funeral Home is caring for Nancy's family and her arrangements. Condolences can be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

IN REMEMBRANCE OF
Nancy L. Balch

BORN
August 3, 1951
Bedford, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
August 5, 2014
63 years & 2 days
Atlantic, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
1:00 p.m.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Roland Funeral Home
Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIANT
Pastor Lee Havemeier
First Assembly of God
Atlantic, Iowa

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“You Raise Me Up”
“Precious Lord Take My Hand”
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“I’ll Fly Away”

CASKET BEARERS
Corbin Loudermilk
Michael Balch
Rick Norman
Randy Balch

COMMITTAL
Athelstan Cemetery
Southeast of Bedford, Iowa.

Roland Funeral Home ~ Atlantic, Iowa