Loretta Balekos

Loretta Marie Balekos, 82, of Monona died Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home in Strawberry Point. Funeral Services were held Tuesday, March 29 at Living Faith United Methodist Parish in Monona, with Rev. Dennis Hopes as the Officiant. Burial followed at Monona Cemetery, Monona. Loretta was born December 20, 1933 to Carl and Selina (Leiran) Busness. She graduated from Luana High School. Loretta worked at HJ Smithy in Washington, D.C. and at Union State Bank in Monona and Luana Savings Bank in Luana, and she also served as the City Clerk in Monona. Loretta was united in marriage with George Balekos June 19, 1952 in Waterville. Four Children were born to this union, Terri, Todd, Jill and Kristy. Loretta enjoyed teaching and making ceramics, and most of all she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren; traveling to their out-of-state homes, as well as spending many summers at the cabin in Harpers Ferry on the Mississippi River. Loretta is survived by her husband, George Balekos of Monona; four children, Terri (Richard) Murray of Savage, MD, Todd (Lori) Balekos of Monona, Jill (Ray) Palmer of Cottage Grove, WI and Kristy (Greg) Ryan of Marble Falls, TX; seven grandchildren, Monique (Brian) Cox, Brandon Balekos, Annika Balekos, Mykenzy Palmer, Tess Palmer, Dalton (Michelle) Ryan and Tyler Ryan; one great-grandchild, Zane Cox; and one sister, Clarice Jasper of Las Vegas, NV. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Selina Busness; and one sister, Mildred Kelly.