Wilbur Baltisberger
Wilbur Baltisberger
Grinnell, formerly of Malcom. Wilbur Baltisberger, 82 of Grinnell, formerly of Malcom passed away on his birthday, Friday, September 16, 2011 at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center under Hospice Care. He battled cancer for over five years. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Monday, September 19, 2011 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Montezuma with Pastor George Salnave officiating. Visitation will begin after 1:00 pm on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the First United Presbyterian Church with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Interment will be held in the Pleasant Township Cemetery in Ewart. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be given to Grinnell Regional Hospice or First United Presbyterian Church building/refurbishing fund.
Irving Wilbur Baltisberger was born September 16, 1929 at the farm home south of Malcom, where he lived in the same house and enjoyed the country life for almost 82 years. Wilbur and Darlene moved to Seeland Park, in Grinnell on July 8, 2011.
His parents were Irvington John and Lodi Gardner (Carpenter) Baltisberger. He graduated from Montezuma High School in the spring of 1947 with athletic honors. He attended Boys State. His classmates always called him Balsey. After the death of his father in January, 1949, he engaged with his mother in farming and dairying. On August 9, 1953, Wilbur was united in marriage to Darlene Vesta (Johnston) at the Montezuma Presbyterian Church where he also became a member later in life.
In 1976, he started his own business Baltisberger Pump Service, Inc. After suffering a stroke in 2001, he continued to work on the farms and enjoyed restoring Farmall tractors, sports (especially the Iowa Hawkeye games), traveling (his favorite trip was Australia and New Zealand), dancing, playing 500, Freecell, keeping the grandchildren and looking forward to Pastor George visiting. Wilbur organized DHIA (dairy testing) in our area, served as President of Malcom Manor for several years, was a member of Poweshiek County Farm Bureau and a member of First United Presbyterian Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Ronald Baltisberger and his sister Odessa (Baltisberger) Douglass.
Wilbur is survived by his wife of 58 years, Darlene Baltisberger of Grinnell; two daughters Penne (Steve) Gatton of West Des Moines and Candy (Ray) Jobst of Macungie, PA; four grandchildren, Kyle and Steffe Gatton, April and Nathan Jobst; two sisters Lois Van Gorp of Ames and Edna Badger (Howard) Badger of Badger, Iowa; a foster brother Frank Montei (June) of Tinley Park, IL, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Source: Holland-Coble Funeral Home
