Fred Balsley

Fred Norman Balsley, 64, of Brainerd, MN, died peacefully on Saturday, July 4, 2015. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Patricia Kathleen (Holmgren), his children: Charish Badzinski (Joel), Nora Aune (Jason), Toni Brey (Jason) and Allen Balsley (Jessica); and eight grandchildren: Brent, Austin, Grace, Kaitlyn, Emma, Alice, Taggart and Hadley. He is also survived by two brothers: John and Steve, and four sisters: Nadine, Laurelle, Mary and Julie, as well as many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elayne Guck, the father who raised him, John Guck, and his birth father, Fred P. Balsley.

Fred was born September 11, 1950, in Chicago, IL. He married Patricia on October 3, 1970, in Big Lake, MN. Drafted to serve in the Army on Oct. 7, 1970, he attended basic training at Fort Knox, KY, with advance training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. He served the remainder of his tour as emergency room clerk at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. After discharge, he worked several jobs including machinist, auto mechanic, police officer, janitor, semi driver and printer. After 10 years of service with the Minnesota National Guard, at age 38, he studied electronics at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. He earned his instructor's certification, then taught electronics at Camp Dodge, IA. After 20 years in the military, he retired from the Army National Guard and entered the private sector where he maintained tank simulators in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. He retired at 54 for health reasons.

Fred was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting with his son and his dear friend, Ron, in addition to solving the world's problems over a mug with his buddy, Barry. A simple man with simple needs, his two favorite sayings were, "You gotta stop and smell the roses," and "I wonder what the poor people are doing." Later in life he enjoyed relaxation at his cabin in northern Minnesota, warm winters in Tucson, AZ, time with the grandkids, and the simple joys of good food, mid-day naps and belly laughs. He embraced life with gusto and taught his whole family that life is an adventure, and that the most valuable things cannot be bought. He was incredibly generous, often giving away prized possessions to people he cared about, and he took great joy in sending chocolate to a long list of loved ones every year for Valentine's Day. He will be deeply and forever missed.

A visitation will be held 5-7 p.m., July 7, at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN, with an Irish wake at The Last Turn Saloon in Brainerd at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue July 8 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd, with a Celebration of Life at 2:30 p.m. Pastor David Holte will officiate. Interment will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls on Thursday at 9 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.