Evelyn Huisenga Balk, age 89, of Worthington, died Thursday Dec. 19, 2002 at the Luverne Hospice Cottage. She was born Sept. 1, 1913 in Sibley, Iowa to Claus and Eva (DeVries) Huisenga. In 1918, Evelyn and her family moved to Rushmore. She attended elementary school in Rushmore; and graduated from Worthington High School in 1931. Evelyn worked in her dad’s grocery store. When he retired, in 1941, the store was turned over to Evelyn and her

sister, Bilda.

She worked in the store until she married Alfred Balk on Sept. 1, 1943 in

Wilmont. After their marriage, the couple farmed on the Balk family farm south of Wilmont, until 1978, when they retired and moved to Luverne. In 1983, they moved to Worthington. Alfred died on June 26, 2000. Evelyn moved to the Luverne Hospice Cottage in September of 2002.

She was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rushmore, where she sang in the choir; currently a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in

Worthington; and the Elks. Evelyn loved playing cards, crocheting, cooking

and baking, especially angel food cakes.

Evelyn is survived by her three children and their spouses, Joyce and Jim

Broader, Adrian; Jim and Linda Balk, Albert Lea; and Kathy and Marlin Mitchell, Rushmore; seven grandchildren Deb (Jon) Meitzell, Becky (Steve) Michaletz, Joe (Vicki) Balk, Mike Balk, Shawn (Tammi) Wittry, Bobbi (Myron)

Ruesch and Nicki Wittry; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Nellie

Siemon, Mobridge, S.D.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Alfred; three sisters,

Leona, Dena Wulf and Bilda Mahan; and a brother LeRoy Huisenga.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today, with parish prayers at 7 p.m., at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington; and continuing from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at

St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Worthington. It will be officiated by Rev. Larry Brixius. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Wilmont.

A tree will be planted in memory of Evelyn Balk, by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Luverne Hospice Cottage.