Shirley A. Balach

Shirley Ann (Stretar) Balach, 100, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 27. Loved by many, “Shirley Girly” above all treasured her family, godchildren, and friends at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church. Shirley went above and beyond with her generosity, always remembering loved ones on special occasions and freely giving her time at church. She welcomed everyone into her home with open arms and delicious food including Serbian specialties she learned from her beloved mother-in-law Mary. Her povitica and English toffee were legendary! 

Shirley frequently reminisced about growing up on Raleigh Street in Duluth, surrounded by the fun-loving Stretar clan, playing with her cousins, biking, and roller skating. Their large family home was always filled with piano, concertina and ukelele music; singing; dancing; and an abundance of love. After she graduated from Denfeld High School and Duluth Business University, her strong work ethic led to success in every job she held. Shirley married the love of her life, Joseph Balach, in 1948 and started a family before he graduated from dental school. She was dedicated to raising her family, being involved in her kids’ schools, and serving her “newly adopted” church and church choir as a singer, treasurer, auditor, and super volunteer. For decades, Shirley was an integral part of the St. George Serbian Sisters’ Circle (“Kolo”) who prepared food for church events and pasty sales. As her children got older, Shirley worked for her husband and son at Balach Dental until she retired in her eighties. In her spare time, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, playing Scrabble, and watching Dr. Phil and Judge Judy. She was “gunning” for 100 years and made it! 

We are deeply grateful to caregivers Lori (Malander) Anderson, Louise Oman, Darrell Martin, Alice Oman, and Fran Morgan for their loving and compassionate care which allowed Shirley to remain in her apartment until her passing. 

Preceded in death by her father Joseph and stepmother Mayferd Stretar, brother Kenneth Stretar, and husband Joe. Greatly missed by her children George (Linda), Patty Erickson (Michael Mumey), Therese, and Tanya (Michael) Dmowski; grandchildren Jorrie, Eric, and Chad Johnson, Adam Balach, Joseph Dmowski, and Claire Pince; great-grandchildren Tiffany, Austyn, Will, Calvin, Kole, Layla, and Kygo; and many nieces, nephews, and kumovi.

Visitation at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth on Friday, July 12, from 5 to 7pm with Pomen at 6:30pm. Funeral Service at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 1216 – 104th Ave. W., Duluth on Saturday, July 13, at 11am with visitation one hour prior. Interment at Oneota Cemetery. Memorials preferred to GND Rec Center or St. George.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home (218) 727-3555