Irma A Balser
October 06, 1917 - July 02, 2015
Obituary
Balser, Irma A. "Jo"
MADISON-Irma A. "Jo" Balser, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2015, at Waunakee Manor where she had lived for the past four years. She was born in Pulaski, Wis., the daughter of Hugo and Ella (Humann) Sorge. Jo was the third of six children. She received her education in rural schools graduating from Highland High School in 1935. After moving to Madison she was employed at the Trophy Tavern from 1936 until 1951. Jo was then employed at the UW-Madison as a lab helper in the chemistry department. She then worked at the Madison Public Library where she eventually retired from. Jo also worked at the Madison Elks Club in the cloak room on weekends and special occasions for 49 years. She loved going to casinos in Las Vegas, Dubuque and Wisconsin Dells. Jo was a fan of the Brewers, Packers and Badgers and loved to travel, and did so with her sister and nieces. Jo is survived by two sisters, Erica Lockwood and Myrtle Menozzi, both of Joliet, Ill.; numerous nieces and nephews; special friend, Angie Loniello; and many friends at Waunakee Manor. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Linda Myers; son-in-law, Edward Myers; grandson, Eddie; sisters, Gertrude Anderson Harris and Lorraine Hinderliter; brother, Jerry Sorge; and special nephew and Godson, Lavern Anderson. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Jo's life at the ELK'S CLUB, 711 Jenifer St., Madison, from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. Jo, may you rest in peace. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Celebration of Life
Fri Aug 14, 2015 @ 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM CDT
Elk's Club • 711 Jenifer St., Madison, WI null
Photos
No photos of Irma have been shared yet.
Memories
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Karen
Other •
Jo is going to be missed dearly. She ALWAYS remembered my name from the Elks days with my dad, George Mader. She was such a fabulous and dearly loved lady. We went to visit her at the nursing home not too long ago and she still had such a great memory of the good ol' days. My thoughts & prayers to her family. She has now joined her dearly loved family members in Heaven. Karen Mader Thompson
AZ
amy zelinski
Other •
I worked with Jo 36 yrs ago at the Elk's Club. She was a great woman to have known. She always had such a great sense of humor and her memory amazed me. She will truly be missed. She was loved by all...I am blessed to have had the opportunity to have known her. RIP Jo....
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Debbie Ballard
Other •
Aunt Jo...you were always the first person I received a Christmas card from each year...I admired how, in your golden years, you flew out to Seattle to visit me and to watch a baseball game or brought a family member along to go to Hawaii or Vegas with you...always staying in your favorite, the Mayflower Park Hotel, right in downtown Seattle...sometimes we'd go to lunch at the Bon, sometimes Snoqualmie Falls for breakfast or the Elks for dinner...the strength you demonstrated despite the tragic loss of your only daughter, son-in-law and grandson was an inspiration to us all about the importance of coping and living through the adversity of some of life's challenges...rest in peace, dear Aunt...you were loved and will be missed...
Debbie Ballard (daughter of sister Lorraine Sorge Hinderliter)
Kent, WA
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Judi Christiansen
Other •
RIP Aunt Jo you brought joy to many.
Terry & Judi Christiansen, (daughter of sister Lorraine Sorge Hinderliter)
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Janeen Heller
Other •
I remember how kind and welcoming you always were to me and to my mother and your independence and good attitude. I knew even as a child I wanted to be like you and now as I am getting all too close to that age I thought was so" ancient" I find you all the more wise. Rest in Peace.