Lora Balzhiser

We celebrate the life of our mother, Lora Mae Balzhiser, who passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas surrounded by family. She was 90 years old and we were blessed with each day we had with her.

Lora was born in Coulter, Iowa on December 2, 1934, to parents, Harley and Elva (Hanselman) Christiansen. She lived in Coulter, Lu Verne and Fort Dodge, Iowa, where she graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High and obtained her teaching credential from Northern Iowa University. Lora had a sense of adventure that took her to Maine and New Orleans upon graduation and ultimately to California where she spent most of her adulthood.

She was married to Kenneth Balzhiser whose profession led them to living in many areas including Chicago, Illinois, Medford, Oregon, and Southern California where they raised our family.

Although she traveled the world later in life, she never forgot her mid-west roots and values. Every summer she drove our family to Iowa by herself so we could grow up knowing our cousins and extended family and appreciating our heritage. Later she would return to Des Moines where she developed a close group of friends that became an important part of her life.

Lora's biggest joy in life was her family and she treasured every phone call and moment she spent together with them. She is survived by her son, David (Rhonda) Balzhiser, Clements, CA, and daughters Kathryn (Chris) Crawford, Manhattan Beach, CA, Jennifer Cook, Polson, MT, and Julie (Tim) Anderson, Corpus Christi, TX; grandchildren, Jacob (Sarah) Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Emily (Daniel) Ramirez, Caitlyn Cook, Megan Crawford, Jack Crawford, and Luke Balzhiser; great-grandchildren Adelyn and Isaiah Asuncion, Selah and Harmony Ramirez, and Isabella Anderson. Lora was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Rose Ann, and her former husband.

In addition to her love of family, friends, and travel, Lora especially enjoyed fishing for walleye and northerns in Canada, spending time with her pet dogs, spotting hummingbirds, and watching Iowa Hawkeye sports and Jeopardy. She was strong in her faith and wouldn't rest easily until she knew her entire family had come to know the Lord.

We will miss her tremendously every day but feel so lucky to have had her here on earth and in our lives for 90 years.