Livestream Link to watch Pauline's Funeral Service: memoriallutheranchurch.org/2024/04/april-2-pauline-balmer-funeral/

Pauline L. Balmer, 89, of Ames, passed away on March 27, 2024 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames after a short illness. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 9:00-11:00, with a Funeral service at 11:00 a.m., at Memorial Lutheran Church (2228 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010). Online condolences can be made to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

Pauline Lucille (Lass) Balmer was born on October 7, 1934, in Ogden, Iowa, to parents John and Luella (Seeman) Lass. She grew up on the family farm in rural Ogden and graduated from Ogden High School in 1952. She moved to Ames after high school and was working in the Registrar's office at Iowa State University when she met Dale Balmer, later moving to Des Moines and graduating from Iowa Beauty School in 1954.

Dale and Pauline were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden, Iowa September 5, 1954, establishing their home in Ames. They had three boys, with the youngest, Kevin, dying in infancy in 1965. Pauline was primarily a homemaker; however, she contributed to the family income by babysitting, selling Avon, and then operating the Silhouette Shoppe out of the home before retiring in 1997. She was always active in the Church and had an artistic flair. Knitting prayer shawls for the ill or grieving, and baby blankets for baptisms, were passions to the end.

Pauline was an avid writer, keeping a daily diary and writing letters. With the advent of email she sent out a letter to friends and family every Thursday with an update of the week's events and weather. She was faithful with personally crafted birthday cards, incorporating tatting and art, with a personal message in each one. Children would always get a stick of gum and balloon taped inside, and only rarely did it not arrive on their birthday. She was loved by her family and countless friends.

Left to cherish Pauline's memory is her Husband Dale; children Rick and Ron; grandchildren Tiegan, Aleczandria, and Mariah; great-grandchildren; Aurora and Jayce, siblings Lola Halsband of Des Moines, Caroline Hill of Omaha, and Virgil (Glenda) Lass of Sun City, Ariz.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Kevin; and sister Helen Miller.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Memorial Lutheran Church.