Nancy Balding

Nancy Balding

May 13, 2025

Nancy Leona (Nied) Balding, age 84, of Eau Claire, departed to her heavenly home on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Nancy spent her last months under the care of the loving staff at Azura Memory Care in Eau Claire.

Nancy lived most of her early years in Illinois. She was born in 1940 in Galesburg and attended a one-room schoolhouse in Cameron. In her youth, she became a baptized believer. In 1960, Nancy married Terry Balding,

her high school sweetheart. They moved to Macomb to attend school at Western Illinois University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Home Economics in the spring of 1961. Later that year, Nancy was employed teaching Home Economics at a high school in Augusta. Sherrie, their first child, was born in Macomb. A move to Ohio and Ohio State University was next so Terry could complete his PhD and where Lori, their second child, was born.

In 1967, Nancy and Terry moved the family to Eau Claire, Wisconsin as Terry had been hired by UWEC. They lived at 612 Chippewa Street until 1969 when they purchased a 175-acre hobby farm just south of Eau Claire where they still reside. Nancy was a substitute teacher for the Eau Claire Area School district for 10 years.

Shawn, their third child, was born in Eau Claire.

Nancy was an avid gardener and began selling her vegetables and flowers at the London Square Mall Farmer's Market where she was especially known for her elegant gladiolus. Nancy, along with others, created the first farmer's market which later transformed into the Farmer's Market we have today at Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire.

Nancy was very active within her Eau Claire church, Cornerstone Christian Church. She was a leader in the lady's group, taught Sunday School for many years, helped with the nursery, joyously added floral arrangements from her own garden and adorned the church with seasonal decorations. While attending Cornerstone, Nancy began a Living Nativity at London Square Mall which had 24 successful seasons.

Nancy's hobbies were gardening, sewing, bird watching, attending church events, watching football on TV, attending Eau Claire Blugolds men's and women's games, and participating in farmer's markets.

She adored children, especially her 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Nancy doted over them and could often be found holding them, reading to them or playing on the floor with them. Her faith in God, love for her family, genuine compassion for others, and kind deeds guided her throughout her entire life.

She is survived by her husband, Terry; children, Sherrie (Marc) Harper of Champaign, Illinois, Lori (Dan)

Lyons of New Auburn, Wisconsin, and Shawn (Carmen) Balding of Brookfield, Wisconsin; 12 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; many other family members and friends.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Marion and Leona (Denisar) Nied and brother, Gerald Nied.

Funeral Service will be held 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Cornerstone Christian Church (310 W. Polk Avenue, Eau Claire) with Sr. Minister Justin Carter officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. until time of service. If you plan on attending, please wear floral print to honor Nancy's passion. An interment will be held at a later date in Brunswick Cemetery. Evergreen Funeral Home is serving the family.

The family would prefer memorials be given to Cornerstone Christian Church. To send a condolence or share a story/memory of Nancy with her family, please visit our obituaries at www.evergreenfuneralhome.com.