Richard Delmer Henry Balge 1932-2021 Richard Delmer Henry Balge was born into God’s Kingdom of Power on September 19, 1932, the first and only son of Norman and Hannah (nee Struck) Balge. Within days he was also born into God’s Kingdom of Grace through the washing of Holy Baptism at First German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. On October 17, 2021, God called him into his Kingdom of Glory at the age of 89 years. In 1946 he graduated from First German Lutheran School. That same year he was confirmed at Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manitowoc, where his parents were charter members. That autumn the family – which now included an adopted sister Barbara – moved to Wauwatosa and Richard began attending Northwestern Preparatory School in Watertown. Graduating in 1950, he continued on to college on the same campus, graduating in 1954. Before enrolling at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, he spent a year as an emergency teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School in Red Wing, Minnesota. While teaching in Red Wing, Richard met and courted his fellow teacher, Lois Prueter of Toledo, Ohio. They were married at St. John’s, Red Wing, in 1957. Graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1958, he was assigned as pastor of Divine Peace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, where he served until 1964. For one of those years he was a part time religion teacher at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. In 1964 Richard followed a call to Madison to organize and serve Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel and Student Center. In 1971 he moved with his family to the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon. There he taught church history, homiletics and New Testament, retiring in 2002 but continuing to teach part time until January of 2006. He also served as Dean of Students from 1983-1995. During his ministry, Richard served the church at large as guest preacher, essayist, lecturer, author, editor, temporary part time hospital chaplain and vacancy pastor. He also served on various boards, commissions and ad hoc committees. Preceding him in death were his parents and his sister Barbara (the late Gary Kieson). Surviving him are his wife of 64 years; sons Rev. Daniel (Bethel) of New Ulm, MN; Carl of Brown Deer; Rev. Jonathan (Julie) of Milwaukee and daughter Ellen of Grafton. Lois and Richard were further blessed with six grandsons, six granddaughters, one great granddaughter and two great grandsons. The departed lived in the confidence of his confirmation memory verse, Jesus’ words in John 17:3 – “And this is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (King James Version). The service will be live streamed at https://www.christalonewels.org. Simply look for the "Live Stream" link. No special link or code is needed.
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