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Margaret B. Balch, 99

Margaret Berniece Balch was born October 10, 1919 to Theron (Jim) and Agnes Nelson Balch on the Balch Homestead west of Formoso, Kan., in Jewell County. Margaret went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 30, 2019 at the age of 99 years.
Margaret grew up on the family farm southeast of Montrose, Kan., and attended grade school at Rockdale School District 38. She was an admitted tomboy and loved riding horses, being outside, and playing with her little brother, George. Margaret graduated from Montrose Rural High School, Montrose, Kan., with the Class of 1937. That fall Margaret married Paul D. McCorkle in the Methodist Parsonage in Mankato, Kan. The marriage ended in divorce in 1946.
During World War II Margaret lived in Formoso working as a teller in the First National Bank and as a relief telephone operator for the Formoso Telephone Company.
In 1946 she moved to Mankato, Kan., and took a job with the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. When Southwestern Bell made the change from operator assisted calling to direct dialing, she transferred to the Beloit office eventually moving to Concordia in 1964 where she worked until she retired in 1981 after 35 years of service. On most weekends Margaret traveled from Concordia to her family's farm in Jewell County, Kan., to assist her aging parents and visit her brother and his family.
Margaret stayed busy and enjoyed her retirement years, taking vacations with friends and family. Always being very active and able, she did her own yard work until she moved to assisted living at the age of 92. Margaret was a community volunteer for over 25 years in the Concordia American Cancer Society; helped organize the Door-to-Door Campaign for the Arthritis Foundation; was an Officer and Member of the Concordia Business & Professional Women's Club, the Concordia AARP, Mid-Kan Telephone Group, Christian Women's Group, and the Montrose Community Club. Margaret also volunteered with the Resource Center in Concordia, the Food Bank, and Red Cross Blood Mobile.
Margaret was a faithful member of the Concordia Wesleyan Methodist Church, attending until she moved to assisted living. She was an active member of the Women's Prayer Fellowship Group and remained so after her move in 2012 to the Marquis. Margaret quickly became involved in the weekly activities. Her favorites were church services, walking, exercise class and visiting with others. When she visited her family she took particular delight in beating her nephews and great-nephews at games of electronic darts, Battleship, pool, or any other game that was being played.
Margaret especially enjoyed attending the Montrose High School Alumni Banquet to reminisce with her dear childhood friends, Ruth Holdren and Doris Jean Keeler.
Margaret was preceded in death by her stillborn son; her parents, Jim and Agnes Balch; her brother, George T. Balch and his wife, Nadine Stangle Balch; two nephews, George T. Balch, Jr. and Larry Dean Balch.
Those who will mourn her passing: nephews/nieces, Barbara San (Luke), Puyallup, Wash.; Robert Balch (Jackie), Woodward; Greg Balch (Lynette), Woodward, Okla.; Janet Pope (Larry), Coalgate, Okla.; Sheryl Raphael (Bill), Mustang, Okla.; great-nephews/nieces, Wesley San (Joann), Puyallup, Wash.; Wendy San, Portland, Ore.; Justin Pope (Randi), Ada, Okla., Garrett Balch (Karla), OKC, Ryan Balch (Keelie), Woodward, Brian Pope (Miranda), Coalgate, Hunter Raphael, Mustang; great-great nephews/nieces, Aubrey and Kollyns Pope, Kami & Karsyn Woods; Theron, Colton, & Talon San; Kerzie Balch; Courtney Reese, Carryn Williams; and many other family members, friends, and acquaintances who were blessed to have known Margaret.
Pallbearers were Wesley San, Wendy San, Justin Pope, Garrett Balch, Ryan Balch, Brian Pope and Hunter Raphael.
Honorary pallbearers were Steve Dunstan, Edgar Marihugh, Jeff Keeler and Charles Jacobson.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am Friday, September 6, 2019 at the Concordia Wesleyan Church with Rev. David Redmond and Pastor Bob Burns officiating. Burial will follow at the Balch Cemetery, Formoso, Kan. Visitation will be from 1-8 pm with family greeting friends from 6-8 pm, Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, Kan. Music will be provided by Don Garlow.
Interment will be in the Balch Cemetery at Formoso, Kan., with arrangements by Chaput-Buoy Mortuary of Concordia, Kan.
Margaret's wish was in lieu of flowers, memorials would be made to the Concordia Wesleyan Church Youth Group, a mission that was dear to her.
The Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home will accept condolences for Margaret's family and her memorials %: P.O. Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901 or www.chaputbuoy.com.

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