Joseph “Joe” Patrick Balk, age 72, was born on September 6, 1950, in Worthington, MN, the son of Leo and Marie (Maroney) Balk. Joe graduated from Worthington Senior High School in 1969 and then attended Pipestone Vocational School where he studied merchandising.
Mark Raymond Smith of Coon Rapids, MN, passed away on 12/20/2022, at the age of 72. He was born on 6/2/1950, to Dr. G.W. Smith and Isabelle Smith and grew up in Worthington, MN. After graduating from Worthington Senior High School in 1968, he attended Dunwoody College of Technology, where he earned a degree in Electrical Drafting and Estimation. During that time, he married and had his first child. Mark began his career as an electrical estimator, eventually became a project manager, and ended his career as a superintendent for Parsons Electric, his employer for 16 years. He enjoyed his work, often sharing details of the challenges he faced professionally. Mark married Joan in 1977, a few years after beginning his career. They lived in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities and had two children together.
Gene Allen Batcheller, “Curly” to many of his friends, passed away on February 22, 2022 at the age of 77 at Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Gene was born on February 29, 1944 and his youthful demeanor was always at the forefront as he counted his age in leap years (19 birthdays). He was born to Ned and Joan Batcheller in Sioux City, Iowa where he lived until his family moved to Worthington, MN in 1951. After graduating from Worthington Senior High School in 1963, Gene attended Worthington Junior College. He proudly served in the United States Army for four years, and counted himself lucky as his overseas deployment was in Germany and not Vietnam. Gene returned to Worthington after his military service joining his father’s agricultural business. He met Mary Kurtz when she began teaching in Worthington and they were married on 07/31/1971.