On the evening of February 5, 2016, Marie (Alice Marie Wilson) Balder, left our world to join her beloved husband, Bob, and her daughter, Beverly, at the eternal heavenly banquet. She died of age related complications at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point, MT. Marie was born, the fourth of eight children born to Clifford and Elzina (Fishel) Wilson in Mattoon, Illinois, on November 27, 1915. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family at the home of her daughter, Joyce Smith, where Marie had resided for the past six years under Joyce’s loving care. Assisting with her care during that time was her granddaughter, Alanne (Knudson) Ryan and great-granddaughters, Kadee, Maria & Rachel. Marie attended schools in Wolf Point, Montana. On December 26, 1934, she wed Robert J. Balder, in Glasgow, MT. Immediately following the marriage they moved to McCone City, one of the Fort Peck temporary depression towns that flourished during the construction of the dam. Bob was employed there as an apprentice electrician for about four years. Both Bob & Marie often spoke of the many life-long friends with whom they shared the hard work and fun times during those depression years, happy to have the WPA job that paid $1.00 an hour, an enviable wage at the time; enough of a wage that allowed them to send money home to his parents and siblings who were struggling to preserve the Balder family homestead, in northern McCone County. It was also during this time that their first daughter, Beverly, was born to Bob & Marie. After the completion of the dam project, Bob & Marie returned with their meager savings to purchase a small Missouri River bottom farm in northern McCone County only a short distance from the original Balder homestead. It was during this time of Marie’s life where she continued to cultivate her reputation as an excellent wife, mother, cook, homemaker and farm partner to her husband. They grew the farm in size and quality livestock, raising a substantial herd of Columbia sheep and a reputable herd of cross-bred Angus cattle. They were also one of the first farm operations in McCone County to develop flood irrigation. In 1943, their second daughter, Joyce, was born. Marie took great pride in her reputation as being a great cook and baker. She was arguably the “Queen of the Pie Makers”. Her acclaimed culinary specialty was pies- pumpkin, lemon meringue, chocolate meringue and butterscotch meringue were favorites. A compliment from Marie of another’s pie creations was considered a tribute not to be taken for granted nor, handed out lightly. Her ability to tenderize a beef steak into a succulent mouth-watering experience after pounding the hell out of it with a butcher knife was legendary. The hired hands working for Bob and Marie over the years would more than likely agree that just working for Marie’s cooking would have been compensation enough. She hosted many holiday dinners for friends and family and after dishes were cleared and cleaned she was ready to enjoy a few games of Whist, a game she mastered and enjoyed teaching family members and others who wanted to learn its finer points. After Bob’s death in 1980, Marie, moved from the farm into a home in Wolf Point. She became actively involved in the Senior Citizens organization and was named Senior Citizen of the Year in 1996 She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and practiced her Christian values in a private and unassuming manner. While being a “Wise Old Owl” full of sage wisdom and advice, Marie was also a consummate worrier, certain that her acts of worry would result in favorable outcomes for those who “needed” her to fret for them. Yet, the substance of her worry for family and friends was her abundant love and care for them. Worry was her Prayer and God was sure to listen. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob, her daughter, Beverly, seven sisters and one brother. She is survived by her daughter, Joyce Smith, granddaughters, Alanne Ryan (Kelly), Krista Wasson (James), Jennifer Knudson Mohamed (Sam) Debra Doornek Graveley (Glen); grandsons, R.J. Doornek (Arlene), Scott Doornek and Chad Knudson (Juanita); great-grandchildren, Tosha Doornek (Todd Peterson), Mandy Doornek Dupuis, Ryan Graveley (Nicole), Amy Graveley Sevier (Brady), Misty Doornek, Jess Doornek (Danelle), Jake Doornek, Kadee Ryan, Maria Ryan, Rachel Ryan, John Zimmer, Paul Zimmer, Shane Zimmer, Mathew Mohamed, Bella Mohamed, Sophia Knudson, Olivia Knudson; and ten great-great grandchildren.

Fulkerson Funeral Home Plentywood MT