Russel Leroy Balmer

The smile and fun-loving spirit of Russel Balmer, age 85, of Green Mountain, passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, November 1st, at UnityPoint Health in Marshalltown.           Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 5th, at the Green Mountain United Church of Christ with Dr. Kim Wilson officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Green Mountain Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Monday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown.  For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . Ph. 641-844-1234.           Born Russel LeRoy Balmer on April 12th, 1934, in Iowa City, Iowa, he was the son of Harold and Laura (Bosworth) Balmer, Sr. Soon after birth, his mother passed away, and his father later married Anna Bartleson. He graduated from the Albion High School in 1953.           On August 15th, 1954, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Overstake at the Little Brown Church. They made their home in Green Mountain and celebrated 65 years of marriage this past August.           Russel was employed at Osco Drug in Marshalltown for 19 years prior to employment at the Green Mountain Elevator for 30 years. He knew all the farmers in the area and devoted countless long hours during harvest and planting.             He was a longtime faithful and active member of the Green Mountain United Church of Christ and formerly of the Green Mountain Volunteer Fire Dept. He enjoyed bowling, coaching Little League, going to the races, attending sporting events involving his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, playing cards and working on puzzles – but above all treasured his family. He was a proud student of the Dale Carnegie course that his boss at Osco’s recommended he attend – the only employee chosen to do such. Mr. Balmer was also a big supporter of the Green Mountain community.           Left to cherish his memory are Marilyn, his loving wife of 65 years; three children- Doug (Kathy) Balmer of Kellogg, DeAnn (Mark) Vogt of Ankeny and Dennis (the late Cathy) Balmer of Green Mountain as well as 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and his siblings- Mildred Wilkens of Marshalltown, Dorothy Lunsford in California and Carl Balmer of Marshalltown as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.           In death, Russel rejoined his parents, daughter-in-law Cathy Balmer, brother Harold, sisters Neva Bendlage, Marian Bartleson and Avondell “Vonnie” Lynch and step-brothers Ben and Lyle Bartleson.