Edward Stanley Balser
Edward “Stanley” Balser, 91, passed away to rejoin Maxine on Jan. 25, 2013.
Born on Sept. 16, 1921, on a farm near Lockhart, to Edward and Nora Schulz Balser, Stanley was the second of four boys. Orphaned at age 10, he and his brothers were raised by their grandmother and aunts and uncles in the Lockhart area.
After high school, Stanley joined the local National Guard
unit, and served in the 36th Infantry Division in North Africa and Europe when they were mobilized following the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. He received the Bronze Star Medal for gallantry in action in Italy in November 1943. He remained an active member of the Henry T. Rainey American Legion Post for many years, being honored in 2012 as the longest dues-paying member.
After four years of service during the war, Stanley attended The University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. On Oct. 18, 1947, he and Maxine Ohlendorf were married and began their life together. They raised two daughters, Nancy and Betty, and nurtured five grandchildren together.
After 30 years with the Texas Highway Department, Stanley retired, at age 55, to begin assisting with the operation of the family farm and ranch. He thoroughly enjoyed this time in his life, sharing his time, knowledge, and experience with others. He performed engineering consulting and bridge inspections for the state while exploring all the back roads of central Texas. He performed property surveys for local friends and family.
Stanley helped both of his daughters build and improve their homes. He taught grandchildren how to hunt and fish. He and Maxine wisely saved so that each grandchild would have a significant college fund.
And he always enjoyed regaling the Wimberly deer-hunting camp crowd with his innumerable stories.
Stanley is survived by daughters Nancy and husband Gary Hall, and Betty and husband Tim Clark, grandchildren Drew Hall and wife, Kimberly Painter Hall, Laura Hall, Callie Hall, Alison Clark, and Will Clark, and great-grandson Aiden Bradley Hall as well as brothers Clarence Balser and Bob Balser and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Eeds Funeral Home, 408 S. Main St., Lockhart, Texas. Services were held Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m., also at Eeds Funeral Home with the Reverend Don Duvall officiating.
Serving as the pallbearers will be: Barry Balser, Tim Clark, Gary Hall, Clay Ohlendorf, Ryan Ohlendorf and Roger Thormahlen. Serving as the honorary pallbearers will be: Hugo Scharschmidt, Conrad Ohlendorf, and Carl Ohlendorf. Burial will follow at the Lockhart City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to one of the following: Top Ten Scholastic Scholarship, Lockhart High School, #1 Lion Country Dr., Lockhart, Texas 78644, or American Legion Post 41, P.O. Box 973, Lockhart, Texas 78644.
Arrangements under the care and direction of Eeds Funeral Home, 408 S. Main St., Lockhart, Texas.
