Luella Rae Balkema

Luella Rae Balkema passed away October 15, 2016 in hospice care in Helena, MT. She was a proud military wife, a devoted mother and grandmother and “GGB” (Great Grandma Balkema) to the great grandchildren. She was born Luella Rae Kent on November 4, 1936 and was raised in the Gallatin Valley. She never lost her farm girl beginnings. There was always an extra plate on the dinner table for company and she always made enough beef stroganoff for an army. She married John Balkema in Bozeman on April 18, 1953.

At John’s request, Luella was a stay at home mom until the kids started school when she went to work at the Dept. of Public Instruction as an accountant. She retired from the State when they built their second home at Lakeside where they enjoyed the lake and the Lakeside community to the fullest. Eventually both Lue and John went to work managing the Lakeside Marina and RV Park. When John’s health began to fail they started the next phase of their life as “snowbirds”. They spent many years traveling between their home in Helena and Apache junction and eventually moved full time to Arizona where they forged many lifelong friendships. Lue was a board member on the Bonita Vista Activities Association and retired as Vice President of the Association for health reasons in 2015. She moved back to Helena in April 2016 and spent the summer enjoying friends and family.

Preceding Lue in death was her husband, John Balkema, daughter-in-law, Robin Balkema and great grandson, John Paul Goroski. She is survived by a sister, Leona Kent of Bozeman, and children, Bob Balkema (Laurie Vogle) of Lakewood, CO and daughter and son-in-law, Kathy Goroski (Dave) of Helena. Lue had an exceptionally close relationship with her grandchildren and took great pride in their exploits and accomplishments. The grandchildren who will miss “GGB” immensely are Aaron Eslick, Jennifer Balkema, Joshua Goroski (Sarah) and Shandel Renstrom (Brian). Her much loved great grandchildren are Tanyan and Ari Eslick, Charley Marie Goroski and Avery Ann Renstrom. She also leaves behind a number of close friends both in Helena and Arizona.

She loved her family, she loved her friends and I don’t think she ever met a purse or vacuum cleaner that she didn’t like.

We will miss you greatly “GGB”.

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