BALSTER, Karen

Karen Balster, beloved wife, loving mother, nurturing grandmother, cherished sister and friend to everyone she knew passed away at her home at the age 60, on Jan. 1, 2004. Karen, a resident of Mesa, Arizona for the last 27 years was an active member of Christ the King Church and an accomplished oil based canvas artist. Daughter of John and Clementine Schmidt, she was born June 12, 1943, and raised in Shelby County, Ohio. She married Ralph Balster on Jan. 26, 1963. She graduated from Anna High School in 1961, and from Arizona State University in 1991. Karen is survived by her husband of 41 years Ralph Balster; her children Scott Balster, Sheryl Sarna, Amy Gulbranson; eight grandchildren Evan and Jacob Balster, John, Ashley, and Koby Sarna; Sarah, Ben and Abby Gulbranson; sister Janet Hoying, and brothers Kenneth and Jerry Schmidt. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Clementine Schmidt, and her son John Balster. Funeral Services will be held in Mesa, Arizona, at Melcher's Chapel of the Roses, 43 S. Stapley Dr. on Jan. 7, 2004, with scripture service. Mass will be celebrated at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1551 E. Dana, Mesa, on Thurs., Jan. 8. Interment will be at Mountain Veiw Memorial Gardens. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St. Henry, Ohio on Jan. 10, 2004. Published in the Arizona Republic on 1/6/2004.