Marjorie Balmes

Marjorie was born July 6, 1929, in Escanaba to loving Swedish parents, Arthur and Hannah (Olson) Nelson. Marjorie was a 1947 graduate of Graveraet High School in Marquette, and married James Balmes on July 29, 1950, at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Marquette. Marjorie and James moved from Harvey to Kingsford on March 24, 1952.

A realtor and broker in Michigan and Wisconsin, Marjorie was employed by Stephens Real Estate and Century 21. She belonged to the Memorial Hospital League Sewing Club and Jaycees and was an avid bridge and smear card player.

Marjorie especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and Buddy, the favorite dog; Marjorie loved animals. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford, and her favorite song was “Amazing Grace,” so when you hear that song please remember her in your prayers.

Marjorie is survived by her three children, Nancy Ann (Mark) Balmes Bertrand of Green Valley, Ariz., Paul Balmes (Jean Hogan) of Kingsford, and David (Christine) Balmes of Aurora, Wis.; her grandchildren, Michelle Bertrand of Tonawanda, N.Y., Nicole (James) Bertrand Keeler of Fairport, N.Y., Zachary Balmes (Lauren Willman) of Duluth, Minn., and Kalli Balmes of Clinton, Mich.; and her great-grandchildren, Julian, Rowan and Mason Keeler of Fairport, N.Y.

She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Kristine Balmes; loving husband James Balmes in 2006; and her parents, Arthur and Hannah (Olson) Nelson. She is further preceded in death by her sisters and their husbands, Kathleen (Edward) Baldinelli, Jean (Dale) Clatterbuck and Pauline (Richard) Krieg.

Private family burial services will be held at a later date in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at Optalis Health Care (Manor Care) and OSF Hospice for their exceptional care.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Marjorie Ann (Nelson) Balmes online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.