Roger Balsley

Roger L. Balsley, 78, of Webster City, died, Friday September 26, 2104 at his home in Webster City. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center. Roger's body was donated to Des Moines University for medical research. Roger Lee Balsley was born on April 16, 1936 in Webster City, the son of Orval and Olive Carlson Balsley. He graduated from Webster City High School in 1954 and the University of Northern Iowa with both Bachelors and Masters degrees. On August 29, 1959 he married Berneta Lois Mogensen in Webster City. Roger taught math one year at Marion, one year in Sioux City and 33 years in the Webster City Public Schools. For 16 years, he taught math part time at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. In 2002, he was elected as Hamilton County Supervisor and served for 2 years. He was a former Webster City Council member and the founder of the Hamilton County Solid Waste Commission. He served as a representative for Hamilton County Mental Health, Webster City Parks Commission and was a Community Family Resources Board member. Roger also served as Mayor of Webster City in 1974 and 1979. Roger will be missed by his wife of 55 years, Berneta of Webster City; sons, Darren (Lisa Ault) Balsley of Stanhope; Grant Balsley of Stanhope; grandchildren, Arrin (Cody) Lura and Alexis (Cory) Worden; great-grandchildren, Hilary, Archer and Gannon; sisters, Janice (John) Merz of Fort Dodge, Judy (Mike Manley) Kunz of Traer and many nieces and nephews. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, Wilbur Smith, sister, Evelyn Dayton; brothers, Richard and Wayne Balsley and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Roger was a member of the Iowa Red Bull National Guard. He enjoyed playing the piano, walking, sewing and cooking. Memorials may be directed to the Hamilton County Social Services in memory of Roger. Write a personal tribute for the Balsley family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com.