Shirley Ruth Balkman

Shirley Ruth Balkman died Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at the age of 90 plus seven months and one day. She was born to Oscar and Carol Daehn Johnson in Milwaukee Wisconsin, sister to the late Mavis Zimny and wife of the late Llewellyn Balkman. Survived by: sons Scott Balkman of Saratoga, CA and Mark Luann Balkman of Grand Chute, WI grandchildren: Nicole Mark Reynolds, Jason Balkman, Eric Balkman, Jared Balkman and Michael Balkman and great grandchildren Caitlynn Reynolds, Cameron Reynolds and Jacob Reynolds. She is also survived by nephews, Noel and Todd Zimny, sister-in-law Margaret Balkman and many other family members and friends.

Shirley spent most of her life in Milwaukee, graduating from South Division High School and attending nursing school after graduation. She worked for a brief time at the Wisconsin Telephone Company and loved serving as a poll worker at her local precinct on election days. On June 22nd, 1942 she married Llewellyn Balkman in Milwaukee. They remained together even in the assisted living facility in Appleton near son Mark, where Lew died in 2003. Shortly thereafter, Shirley moved to Northern California near son Scott.
She loved her many friends and family and enjoyed interacting with them at gatherings or over the telephone. She enjoyed watching her two sons and five grandchildren participate in their many school and athletic activities. As the years curtailed her mobility, she was always thrilled by visits from her three great-grandchildren while living in California.

A memorial service will be held Saturday December 4th at 1:00 PM at the Heritage Funeral Home 6615 W. Oklahoma Ave in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Visitation from 11:00 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given directly to the charity of choice. Undesignated gifts will be shared between Grace Lutheran Church of Appleton WI and the Salvation Army.

HERITAGE FUNERAL HOMES
Klemmer-Scheuerell-Johnson-Reiss
6615 W. Oklahoma Ave. 414-321-7440
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