Deloris Elaine Balzer was born on April 2nd, 1939 to Hiram and Muriel Ackerman of Burt, Iowa. She was the first child born in the family, followed by a son and two daughters: Gary “Bud” Dean, Linda Lou and Roberta Ann.

Deloris graduated from Burt High School in 1958, where her accomplishments included playing girls basketball, Band Queen, softball, paper staff, library staff, chorus, Glee Club Officer and Jr. Class Officer. Deloris enjoyed playing sports and spending time with her best friend Rosie and listening to records. Larry Dreyer and Deloris dated in high school and later would become special friends. While in high school she worked as the bookkeeper at the local elevator and saved her own money to pay for her college tuition.

In the fall of 1958, Deloris moved to Marshalltown to attend Mercy Nursing School, later graduating and becoming an LPN. At that time, she met Jim Klaas, and they got married and had five daughters: Bonnie Bilyeu, Gloria Miller, Jamie Bland, Sheri Woodbury and Amie Gard.

Deloris enjoyed raising her daughters and found joy in coffee time with friends, Kathy Fulk and Connie Tilley, and watching her daughters grow. Rides to the Dairy Queen in the convertible were always a special treat.

She made every holiday special with homemade rolls, cinnamon rolls and chicken & noodles. She enjoyed making holiday candy, baking and sewing homemade clothes for her girls. (Including some special Banana pants!)

Deloris worked at Villa De Sol and the Iowa Veterans Home. She also enjoyed working in the OB department of the hospital with the babies.

When the girls grew up and got married, Deloris found love again when she married William “Mike” Balzer, her honey bear. William and Deloris lived in Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked at Jenny Edmans Hospital. Deloris and William moved back to Marshalltown to be close to the girls and grandkids.

Deloris loved her grandchildren: Jonathan Bilyeu, Chelsea Bilyeu, Shane Miller, Logan Miller, Kajun Morris, Kaley Hansen, Jacob Hansen, Kenny Voran, Mike Voran, Sidney Gard and Isabella Gard. She made sure that she was always present for their events.

Deloris always thought the best of everyone and accepted everyone for who they are and loved them that way. She taught us about faith and love. Her heart was this family and she always said how lucky she was to have such wonderful son-in-law’s: Dana Bilyeu, Joe Miller, Jay Hansen, Jim Woodbury and Shannon Gard.

She appreciated everything that people did for her and was humble in her thoughts about herself. Always willing to help everyone around her. She was a strong woman that didn’t back down from life’s struggles, where she found humor in the hard times. She faced them head on and would always put her kids before herself. Deloris said Heaven to her would be spending time with her girls.

When Deloris left this world, she gave us the peace that passes understanding and we look forward to our time together in Heaven. We love you MomÃ-. We can’t thank you enoughÃ-.Deloris would say, “God Bless, I love you all.”

Preceded in death by her sister, Linda Bunkofske, and her parents, Hiram and Muriel Ackerman.

In addition to her family, left to cherish her memory are: Donald and Bobbi Ann Gifford, David Bunkofske, Gary Dean Ackerman/ “Uncle Bud” and several nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones.