Gladys Balik

Gladys Balik, age 78, of Lawler, IA died Sunday, June 5, 2011 at her home after a sudden illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, June 10, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Rev. Donald Hawes will be presiding. Burial will be in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in Spillville. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at the Balik Funeral Home in Spillville and after 10:00 at the church on Friday morning. There will be a rosary at 4:00 and scripture service at 6:00 p.m. Gladys Mae (Busta) Balik was born May 25, 1933 to Edward and Elizabeth (Heley) Busta on the family farm near Little Turkey, IA. Gladys attended country school and helped on the farm. Gladys married Richard Balik on November 14, 1951 at Assumption Catholic Church in Little Turkey, IA. They farmed together until Richard's death July 15, 1999. Gladys then moved to Lawler, IA. Gladys enjoyed playing cards, gardening, dancing, polka music, socializing, baking and cooking, no one ever left her home hungry. Gladys especially enjoyed her children and grandchildren. Gladys is survived by four sons: Larry (Hermie) Balik, Roswell, GA, Ronald (Barb) Balik, Charles City, IA, Kenneth Balik, New Hampton, IA, Joseph (Sue) Balik, Ft. Atkinson, IA. Three daughters: Donna (Kelvin) Rue, Ridgeway, IA, Jeanne (David) Alcantara, Waverly, IA, Susan (Eric) Eckerman, Waverly, IA Ten grand-children: Dawn (Greg) Balder, Michael (Cassie) Balik, Travis and Kelly Rue, Tyler, Alysa, Haley, Olivia, Coryn and Jillian Eckerman. Four brothers: Edward (Geraldine) Busta, Lawler, IA, Arnold (Sandy) Busta, Lawler, IA, Bernard (Karen) Busta, Waucoma, IA and Jim (Mary Lou) Busta, Spring Grove, MN. Two sisters: Betty Busta, Lawler, IA and Darlene (Frank) Gebel, Lawler, IA. Brother and sisters-in-law: Angie Busta, Waucoma, IA Evelyn Ryan, Decorah, IA, Doris Balik, Protivin, IA and John Kout, New Hampton, IA. Gladys was preceded in death by her Husband: Richard (July 15, 1999) Daughter-in-law Linda Balik. Her parents: Edward and Elizabeth Busta, Brother : Walter Busta. Sister: Lorraine ( Ed) Panos. Brothers and Sisters-in-law Raymond Balik, Marie Balik, Dorothy (Leonard) Bouska, Helen Kout and Ed Ryan. Niece: Bonnie Panos.