Wilma Irene (Townsend) Balbach passed away at her home on October 9, 2023 at the age of 91.  Wilma was the daughter of Claude and Irene (Logemann) Townsend.  She was born November 14,1931, in Freeport, Illinois.  Wilma graduated from Stockton High School in 1949.  She met ted Balbach at the Jo Daviess County fair when they were 16.  She always said, "It was love at first sight."  their relationship blossomed from there.  She worked at Crum and Forster in Freeport while they were courting and then followed Ted in the Air Force.  They were married on March 18, 1951 in El Paso, Texas.

With Ted's honorable discharge from the Air Force, they settled in Warren on their farm.  They had five daughters, who they loved dearly.  She was a wonderful mother.  Wilma was always known to be a very kind and loving person.  She always had a smile and hug for all!  Other than helping Ted with the farm, she also worked part-time at Pash's Drugstore in Warren in the 1980s.

She and Ted loved travelling to Hawaii and Alaska as well as the several bus tours they took through the years.  Wilma also loved to sing as she had a beautiful and strong voice.  She was a member of the Warren United Methodist Church and The Order of Eastern Star.  Ted and Wilma were also wonderful at the waltz, the jitterbug and the two-step.  They loved to dance together and it was so fun to watch!

Wilma and her family very much appreciated the wonderful care given to her from ALL of her wonderful caregivers and the SSM Health Hospice of Monroe.

Wilma is survived by her five daughters: Debra Becher of Stansbury Park, Utah, Susan (Todd) Stone of Warren, Cathy (Scott) Brinker of Lena, Diane Davis (Dennis Harwood) of Plover, WI and Joanne (David) Soper of Avon, IN.  Also eight grandchildren: Charity Brinker of Galena, Matthew (Kylie) Davis of Deforest, WI, Jamie (Pia) Davis of Ann Arbor, MI, Doug Stone of Shannon, Nate Stone of Lena, Tyler Soper (Kayla Smith) of Indianapolis, IN, and Paige and Conner Soper of Avon, IN.  She is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Bella and Marigold Davis, Kameron and Kaden Davis.  Wilma is also survived by her sisters: Reita Sheffey and Patricia Molitor, sister-in- law: Jane Balbach and many nieces and nephews.

Wilma is preceded in death by her husband: Ted Olin Balbach, brother: Harlan  (Beulah) Townsend, sister: Madge (Gordon) Dawson, her son-in-law: Stuart Becher, her parents: Claude and Irene (Logemann) Townsend, Ted's parents: Olin and Rosella (Haugen)Balbach, a great– granddaughter in infancy and her niece: Kelly Kupersmith.

Funeral Services are to be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at the Warren United Methodist Church with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM until time of service.  Pastor Matt Smith will be officiating the service.

A luncheon will be served in fellowship hall at Warren United Methodist Church following the service.  Cremation will follow and a private family burial will take place at the Elmwood Cemetery in Warren.

A memorial has been established in Wilma's name.