Obituary of Raymond J. Balsick

Raymond James Balsick age 86 of Peyton, Colorado passed away peacefully at his home in Peyton, Colorado Saturday, December 24, 2016. He was born January 13, 1930 in Pueblo, Colorado the son of Michael and Regina (Rehak) Balsick. Raymond grew up north of Calhan and graduated from Calhan High School in 1948. After high school, Raymond remained close to home working on B/K Ranch, the Balsick family homestead. Raymond was united in marriage to Loraine Louise Lemesany at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Calhan on November 12, 1950. They shared over sixty-six years of marriage. To this union, they shared five children; Alan, Penelope, Drew, Pamela, and Adam. Raymond was a jack of all trades and was mostly known for farming, ranching, carpentry, & windmilling. He took over B/K Ranch, established in 1891 by his grandparents Mike & Mary Balsick, one of his proudest accomplishments. Today, B/K Ranch is being operated by a fourth generation son and fifth generation grandson of the Balsick family. In Raymond’s early years he was a John Deer mechanic and then worked as a union carpenter. He was honored as a fifty-year member of the Carpenters Local Union, Chapter 0515 in 2015. When he wasn’t busy farming and ranching, Raymond had many hobbies that he enjoyed. One of those hobbies after retirement was restoring antique windmills for his family and passersby’s to admire. Thirty-three masterpieces stand in the yard. He enjoyed his yearly trip to the International Windmiller’s Trade fair. He and Louise were also both members of the Pikes Peak Model A club and spent many weekends reveling in the beauty of their 1930 John Deere green with yellow rims Model A coupe. Raymond also loved his 1945 Harley Davidson motorcycle which was purchased new by his Uncle James, passed on to Raymond, who then passed it along to his grandson. Along with being a member to the clubs previously mentioned, Raymond also was a member of the International Polka club, a devout member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, a Knights of Columbus member, and a member and officer of the local chapter of the National Slovak Society. Raymond was always very active and involved in many activities but most of all, he took much pride in working side by side and doing activities with his wife and family. He loved spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren and tried to attend as many of their activities as he could. Raymond’s hard work ethic and his loving spirit will be greatly missed but will continue on in all of his family’s daily lives forever. Raymond is survived by his loving wife of sixty-six years, Louise; five children, Alan Balsick of Calhan, CO; Penny Copeland (Walt) of Hayden, CO; Drew Balsick (Sandy) of Colorado Springs, CO; Pamela Clark (Mark) of Grand Junction, CO; Adam Balsick (Kristy) of Calhan, CO; twelve grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Michael Balsick; two sisters, Leona Eurich and Priscilla Eurich; four nephews, Greg Balsick, Jim Balsick, Don Eurich, and Pete Bannister; and one niece Cherry Eyer.