Edward A. Balzer, age 76, of Ivanhoe, MN, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Monday, February 5, 2024, at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe, MN. Visitation will be 5 – 7 pm on Monday, February 12th at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Ivanhoe, MN and will resume Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial in Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Ivanhoe will be held at a later date. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements.
Edward Allen Balzer was born April 29, 1947 to Paul and Mary (Paluch) Balzer. He grew up in Ivanhoe, MN. Ed started working at a young age. He worked on farms, did mechanical work, welded, drove truck and operated heavy machinery. Ed was drafted into the United States Army on September 15, 1966 (through which he graduated high school). Ed was in the 62nd Engineer Battalion Construction Company in Vietnam and was a crane operator. Ed was wounded in action by a mortar on January 30, 1968, the first day of the “Tet Offensive”. Edward was awarded the Purple Heart and lived with shrapnel in his head and leg along with effects from agent orange. In 1969 he met his true love, Gail Jerzak. They were married on November 20, 1971. They had one daughter, Jennifer in November of 1974. Ed drove semi most of his life across the lower 48 states. He worked for Sterzingers, Mobergs, and Schwans. He and Gail also owned and operated a family business, Balzer’s Mini Mart in Sioux Falls. Ed was ready to drive truck again and began driving for Doug Bradley Trucking in 1992 and retired in 2009. He drove 5 million safe miles during his professional truck driving career. Ed was a truly devoted husband, father and family man. He loved his wife Gail dearly during their 47 year marriage. They traveled to many places over the years and enjoyed many family vacations. He and Gail enjoyed spending time with their daughter, grandkids, and great grandchildren. Ed could never sit still for long. He was always helping somebody, working on a project or busy doing something. He thoroughly loved working! Ed also liked to have a good time!! He loved his fast cars, his 69 Chevelle in particular, his many Chevy pickups, collecting hats and coins, photography, boating, fishing, the lake house years, camping, annual deer hunting trips, annual 4th of July parties, chopping wood, shooting squirrels, mowing, gardening, wood working, building and fixing things, sports, the MN Vikings and happy hour at 5 O’clock. Even as a 100% disabled veteran, Ed dedicated several years donating his time to the VFW in Ivanhoe, continuing service to his country. He was especially excited about the upcoming Ivanhoe Veteran Memorial. Ed was a very patriotic man who loved his country. He also thoroughly enjoyed helping with excavating work over the past several years. Ed was diagnosed with cancer in September of 2023 and bravely faced cancer and courageously fought it every step of the way. He passed away peacefully on February 5, 2024 at the VA medical center in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 76.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer; granddaughters: Samantha and Kiersten (Mike); great grandchildren: Kayzleigh, Jace and Caden; sister, Pat (Paul); aunts: Arleen and Aileen; uncle, Gene; nieces and nephews: Michael (Jill), Jessica (Brody), Steven (Andrea), and Rebecca, and many family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, aunts, uncles, cousins, father-in-law; and his wife Gail, whom Ed took such good care of throughout her eight years with cancer.
