Graveside services for Muriel I. Balfe of Albert Lea, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Hillcrest Cemetery, rural Albert Lea. The Rev. Jeff Laeger-Hagemeister will officiate. Lunch will follow the interment at the Bonnerup Funeral Service reception room.

Muriel died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, at St John’s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea. She was 82 years of age.

Muriel was born Nov. 11, 1928, in Amery, Wis., the daughter of Willard and Maude (Peters) Cran. She attended public school in Balsam Lake, Wis. In 1949 she was united in marriage to Donald Balfe. She had been a resident of Albert Lea since 1950.

Muriel was employed at Wilson Meat Packing for over 35 years. She also enjoyed working part time at the Shea’s Ice Cream Parlor. Muriel enjoyed gardening and yard work, cooking and baking and loved animals, especially her kittens. Muriel enjoyed the time she could spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children: Gloria and her husband John Ell of Albert Lea, Tim Balfe of Tucson, Ariz., Gary and his wife Linda Balfe of Albert Lea. Grandchildren include: Julie Ell (Julian Abrego), Michael (Sara) Ell, Melissa (Pete) Scharber, Dan (Meghan) Balfe, Neal Balfe, Steven Balfe and Eric Balfe. Great-grandchildren include Jessica Abrego, Gina Abrego, Stella Scharber, Noah Scharber, Caleb Scharber, Madelynn Balfe, Jenna Balfe, Tyler Balfe, Cassidy Balfe and Casey Ell; many nephews and nieces.

Muriel was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Donald, brother, Ralph Cran, and five half brothers, and sisters-in-law Myrtle Cran and Stella Cran.