Edwin George Balzer

With deep sadness we announce the passing of our father, and with deep gratitude we celebrate the life he shared with us. Edwin George Balzer passed away from this life to the next on June 23, 2023, at the age of 85. He passed peacefully in the very early morning hours.

Ed was born in Langham, Saskatchewan on September 10, 1937. After high school he attended a teacher training college and then started his career in a schoolhouse north of Carrot River SK.

Ed met Agnes at Elim Gospel Beach Bible Camp on Lake Pelletier in the summer of 1958. They were married in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, on August 12, 1961 then moved to Meadow Lake to teach at the high school. They spent the next several years enjoying a life that included curling, hunting, fishing, ice-fishing, snowmobiling, and raising 5 children.

In 1974, the family made the adventurous move to Calgary, Alberta. Ed taught in rural Alberta for 6 years and then became principal of Heritage Christian school. He retired in 1992 and moved into a role as an Education Consultant with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) in Calgary and then in Budapest for 3 years.

In 1997 Ed accepted a pastoral position at the Coaldale Mennonite Church and served that community with great love for 5 years. In 2002 Ed and Agnes moved to High River to be closer to family. For several months per year over the next 6 years they served in Maui at the Haggai Institute. Dad cleaned and maintained the swimming pools and made long lasting friendships with people from all over the world.

After their last granddaughter (Melia) was born, Ed and Agnes once again moved to be closer to family. Ed has enjoyed the last 12 years in Victoria walking the seaside, listening to and volunteering for different music organizations, leading group tours through the Craigdarroch Castle, having intentional and loving conversations with his neighbors and his church community, watching curling and baseball, and spending time with family.

Every morning of their lives, Ed and Agnes started the day reading God’s word and praying together. They prayed for each one of their children and grandchildren and remained active in every church they attended.

Ed was predeceased by his parents and 12 brothers and sisters and his granddaughter, Kyla. He was deeply loved by his wife Agnes, their children LaDona (Alloys), Joanne (Gord), Lori Jane (Carl), Doug (Teri), Cory (Jennifer); their grandchildren Danny (Luna), Mandy (Ben), Mark (Rebekah), Ben (Preeti), Kathleen, Ellie (Simon), Leslie, Jason (Shey), Austin, Melia; and their two great-grandchildren Hosanna and Ruben, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at the Victoria Alliance Church in Victoria, BC, on Saturday July 22, 2023, at 2 pm.

Donations in his memory may be made to Impact Ministries Guatemala