Rachel H. Balsiger

Rachel H. Balsiger, 99 of Pardeeville, went into the presence of her Lord and Savior Saturday, December 2, 2017. 

She was born August 31, 1918, the first child of Adolph Christian Hamburg and Doris Cooper Hamburg.  She was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wonewoc, WI and was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pardeeville.  She received her education in the Pardeeville schools, graduating in 1936.  She furthered her education at MATC Madison and Baraboo. She worked for many years as an executive secretary for a National Petroleum Company and later at Ohio Medical Products, Madison.

On September 20, 1940, she was united in marriage to Walter E. C. Balsiger, her high school sweetheart and best friend.  They were most grateful for almost 70 years of marriage.  They were blessed with two children, W. David in 1945 and Jane Martha in 1949.

Rachel and her husband shared a wonderful retirement journey.  They enjoyed golfing, curling, collecting and refinishing antiques, bridge and other card games, also traveling throughout the U.S. in their RV.  They also travelled throughout Europe several times visiting family and friends.  For many years they wintered in Texas and Arizona.

She is survived by two grandsons, Michael of Pardeeville and Steven of Chicago., two great granddaughters, Jessilyn and Jenna. She is also survived by special nieces and nephews, Betsi (Gregg) Lueptow, Carol Lanham, H. Bruce (Linda) Balsiger, Jon (Linda) Balsiger, Jode (Terry) Balsiger, several special cousins and many other family and dear friends who have been so helpful through the years.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Walter; her cherished children, David and Jane; her grandson Jacob; her parents; her stepfather, William Eagan; her sister, Mary (Norman) Herreman; her father and mother-in-law, Jacob and Olga Balsiger; her brother-in-law Vern and his wife Olive, and her brother-in-law Harold and his wife Eldora. 

Funeral services for Rachel and Walter will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH 505 E. Lafollette St. Pardeeville with burial will be held at Comstock Cemetery.   Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or any of the organizations within the church.

Rachel was a gracious lady who loved her lord, her church, family and friends.  She was a woman of great faith and never lost that faith in spite of many of life’s challenges. 

 Service Information