Bernice H. Balzum, 92, Ada, MN, died Saturday, January 13, 2018, at Benedictine Care Community, Ada, MN.

Bernice Helen Eggen was born October 15, 1925, on the farm near Ada. She was the youngest of 12 children born to Carl and Bertha (Hallom) Eggen. She attended country school and later public school in Ada. She lived on the farm until she was 17, and started working in Ada doing candling and waitressing at the Pantry Café where she met Carl.

Bernice was united in marriage to Carl Balzum on March 5, 1949, at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. They lived on a farm for a couple years before moving into town, buying a house and raising two sons. She also worked at the Ada Hospital, and was the head cook at the old Ada Elementary School and later the new Ada Elementary School, until she retired in 1988. Bernice lived in her original home until moving to her Valley View Manor apartment in 2005. In August of 2016, she became a resident of Benedictine Care Community.

Bernice was known for her cooking skills and she also enjoyed baking goodies (especially her sugar cookies) to share. She always made plenty to send home with family. Bernice and Carl loved to go for rides out in the country looking for flowers and wildlife.

Bernice is survived by her sons, Leslie, of West Fargo, ND, and David (Mary) of Warren, MN, 2 grandchildren, Shane Balzum of Thief Rivers Falls, MN, and Stacy Balzum of Warren, MN, and one great grandchild, Ashia Balzum, of Warren, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Carl in 1990, her brothers, Norman, Art, Walter, Arven, and Melvin, sisters, Net Ueland, Clarice Mickelson, Evelyn Marsten, Dorothy Eggen, infant Clara, and another infant sister.

In lieu of thank you cards a donation will be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Funeral: 11:00AM, Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: One hour before the funeral on Tuesday at the church.

Burial: Ada Municipal Cemetery.