David Albert Balch

NOTICE:  Due to the new public health orders the family of David Balch invites you to a Graveside Service, Friday, July 30th, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery, Portage la Prairie.  

David Albert Balch

     It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our father, David Albert Balch, at Gladstone Health Center on Friday, June 18th, 2021 at the age of 93. 

     Dad was born April 8th, 1928 in Merton Devon England and came to Canada in 1930 with his parents.  Dad lived in the South Ridge District, south of Portage la Prairie on the family farm for 88 years, and in the same house that his father built.  This was the home his children all grew up in. 

     Dad attended South Ridge Country School as a child.  He then went on to sell cream to Portage Creamery and eventually got into dairy farming starting with Jersey cattle and then later came the Holsteins. He worked at the Southport Air Base as a cleaner prior to starting his dairy farm. 

     Dad enjoyed all sports, but especially baseball which he started playing at 17-18 years old.  Every winter he would build an outdoor hockey rink in the farmyard for family and friends.  On Sunday afternoons, all winter long, many hockey games were played on that rink and it is where many family, friends and neighbourhood kids first learned how to skate and play hockey. 

     One thing dad would often say was that he had no regrets: working hard, dancing, playing ball, and spending time with his family. 

     A blessing through all of this is that Dad accepted his personal Saviour into his life shortly before his 93rd birthday ~ rejoicing that he is safely in the arms of Jesus. 

     Dad was predeceased by his loving wife and best friend of 59 years, Shirley on December 1st, 2012.  His parents James and Frances, stepfather Stan, father and mother-in-law Joseph & Ida Arthur, and brother-in-law Bryan.

     Left to cherish his memory are his eight children; Elaine (William), Linda, Lorraine, Albert (Lorene), Eric (Sandra), Anita (Garry), Alison, (Gerald), Patrick (Kris).  Also 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, his sister Marie Gemmell (Lloyd), sister-in-law Helen (Fred), brother-in-law Wayne (Ann), sister-in-law Diane, many nieces, nephews and friends. 

     The family would like to thank the Gladstone Health Center for their wonderful and compassionate care of our dad.

     In lieu of flowers should friends so desire, donations can be made to Seven Regions Health Foundation, c/o Gladstone Health Center, Box 1000, Gladstone, MB  R0J 0T0.

     A Come & Go Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 24th, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Rd. S., Portage la Prairie, MB.  Due to covid restrictions a private family service will be held at a later date.

Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com

Ecclesiastes 3: 1.2.4

To everything there is a season

And a time to every purpose under the heaven.

A time to be born, and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to weep and a time to laugh.

A time to mourn and a time to dance.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Albert Balch, please visit our floral store.