Marriage:
Ida Marcott
Edward Louis Balder
October 26, 1929
Estavan, Saskatchewan, Canada
| Parents: Marriage: |
William Wendt Ida Marcott Edward Louis Balder October 26, 1929 Estavan, Saskatchewan, Canada |
|
| Children: | Edward William | June 30, 1930 | |
| Connie Lee | Dec. 31, 1945 | ||
| Widowed: | June 27, 1991 |
| Notes: |
Born on the family farm in Minot, North Dakota, on October 4, 1911, to William and Ida (Marcott) Wendt,
Hazel was the eldest of four children.
She had attended the Minot College of Commerce. Hazel married Edward L. Balder on October 26, 1929, in Estevan, Saskatchewan. They moved to Superior in 1936 so Edward could continue to work with the Great Northern Railroad. She was a member of Cathedral of Christ the King, the Election Board at Howe School, and she was a 62-year member of the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, joining in June of 1942. She had been a volunteer at Superior Memorial Hospital, and a Cub Scout leader. Hazel could sew anything and loved to travel. Hazel lived in her own home on Oakes Avenue until August 2003 when ill health prevented her from living independently. She died on Sunday, August 8, 2004, in St. Francis, Wisconsin in the Park Health and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of almost 62 years, Edward; her brothers, Russell and Jack Wendt; and her sister, Pearl Wendt. Connie Balder Mickolajak reminisces on her mother: "Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother was born October 4, 1911 into a simple life. She was the oldest of four children and the caregiver and for her brother and sisters. As a result, care giving was instilled at an early point in her life. She pulled the sled, or dragged her brothers and sister over the hills of North Dakota to the one room school they attended. She rescued her brother from drowning in the creek. She remodeled furniture, and helped with the home chores. The family farm life was both happy and difficult. Happy, as the children they were surrounded by the love of their parents and an extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors. "Family gatherings, barn dances, church, country fairs, weddings and funerals brought the otherwise isolated families together. The difficult portion of her young life, which she was not always aware of until she was older, was farming itself. Windstorms, dry spells, drought meant crop failure and a struggle for the family. Mother told me one time, that while coming out of the root cellar after one such storm, she saw her parents embrace each other and cry. It was the first time she had seen them cry and it left a lasting impression on all of the children. "Our parents met, fell in love, and, since children grew up and matured earlier in those days, they eloped to Canada and married at 18. For many years, she kept in contact through letters and visits with her maid of honor and friend, who lived just south of Minot, ND – a place where they had both grown and shared their girlhood. My parents lived in a number of apartments in Minot, including one home shared with her parents. My brother, Bill, had the advantage of aunts, uncles, grandparents and other family near-by. The family helped each other during the depression. Mom told me of my dad’s mom coming up the street with homemade baked bread and vegetables from the garden. "My father worked on the Soo Line and Great Northern Railroad. Mother followed him to Superior where they finally made their home. Mom was homesick for the plains of North Dakota and her family. As a result, they made trips West on the train, and my brother spent summers with his grandparents and aunts, and uncles. "In Superior, she made good friends Agnes Finn, Ida Larson/ Hartlund, Ethel Nuroala, Annie McNulty, Dorothy Ruby and her Lady Eagle friends – of which she was the longest [62 years] and oldest member. She square danced in the Pattison School and in Arizona. "I was born here in Superior, into a house my parents purchased for $500 dollars and my father rebuilt the foundation, plastered the walls and made it a home. The two of them worked side by side. The both of them knew every nook and cranny of the modest home. Mom loved her little house - almost too much, as in later years; she did not want to leave it to travel. "However, while my father was alive — they traveled the countryside. Usually, these trips were to visit family. They went to Hawaii, New Jersey, and Columbus, Maryland, Kentucky and even Belgium and all around Europe, where Brother Bill and his family lived. Each year we went to North Dakota, to visit grandparents. After my father retired from the Burlington Northern, they spent October to May in Phoenix and the other months here in Superior. "Those 16 years at Desert Shadows Trailer Resort were some of their happiest years. They danced on the weekends, shared good times with family members and friends and were having a great time. Mom and dad both loved the warm weather and warm memories. Mom was even in a play, which seems hard for even me to believe, as she usually was too shy for the limelight. They were near both families Julie and Connie lived in Superior and Bill and Sherrie and the boys were in Phoenix, Arizona. The grandchildren could really know and enjoy their grandparents. Sherrie celebrated Christmas and many get-togethers with not only our parents, but with friends, and visiting relatives. "Home, family, children, grandchildren, and great-children were the center of mother’s life. Julie was always in her grandparent’s house. She taught Julie to cook, do numbers – by playing cards, she helped her read and showed her unconditional love. Julie spent sleepovers with her girlfriends. Scott, Mark and Michael could only be around when visiting, as they were living far from their grandparents, as Bill was in the military and the family traveled the world. When Bill retired, the family settled in Phoenix. For those sixteen years, the boys grew to know and appreciate their grandparents. "Mom and Dad celebrated at each grandchild’s wedding loved their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When her husband, Edward, died in 1991, mom never was quite the same. She was at Connie's side most of the time, but she was lonely. "Without the family knowing, unwelcome visitors moved into mother’s house and took over. Dementia and Alzheimer were not words I thought of then. I knew she was growing older, but she seemed – just mom. She was secure in her own home with us looking after her, but her memories became fragmented, and her fears intensified over time. In addition, this past year safety became an issue. It was then she moved to St. Francis Home. "Since Julie’s family lives here in Superior, her children saw grandma the most. They visited, and she smiled when the “babies” arrived to visit bringing pictures they had made, planting kisses on her cheeks, and giving hugs. They saw her the last day of her life. Nicholas, Julie and Connie sat with mother from Friday late morning until she died August 8, 2004. It was a gift we could give her and she could give us. We held her hand and spoke of days gone by. I whispered, “Dad is coming to take you to the barn dance” "Mom had a long and wonderful life. She almost reached 93 years. She loved her family, and in return, those meant the most to her loved her. We know now she is with Dad in heaven – and not lonely anymore." |
ChronologicalBy RelationshipFamily StoriesFamily PhotographsOrphan Photographs MapsContact UsResourcesFamily ForumWhat's New 