Herman Balko

Herman Balko age 98 of Tracy, MN died Thursday, December 16, 2010 at the Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. A luncheon will be served immediately following the service, with the interment taking place after the luncheon in the Redwood Falls City Cemetery. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Herman Balko was born March 12, 1912 to Adolph and Pauline (Lichty) Balko in Cresco, IA. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. When Herman was an infant his family moved to a farm near Redwood Falls, MN and he attended country school. As a young man he farmed with his father and worked as a farm hand for area farmers. In 1935 Herman married Lillian Fredrickson in Mankato, MN and they made their home near Redwood Falls. Besides farming, Herman also owned and operated a Sinclair Service Station in Redwood Falls. After his wife’s death in 1962 he continued to farm in the Redwwod Falls area. In 1968 Herman married Violet Johnson in Tracy, MN and they made their home in Tracy. Herman continued to work as a farm hand until 1977, when he retired. Herman was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, a past member of the Redwood Falls Lutheran Church, Tracy Lion’s Club and had been active in the Tracy Senior Center for many years. He also did hand corn husking for many years. He enjoyed Horseshoe, fishing with friends and wintering in Florida. In 2009 he became a resident of Prairie View Health Care Center in Tracy, where he died December 16, 2010 at the age of 98. Herman is survived by his niece, Donna (Darrell) Tufto of Bemidji, MN, whom Herman and Lillian raised as a daughter; grandson, Matthew Tufto; great granddaughter, Jill Badell; other grandchildren on Violet’s side of the family; nieces, nephews and friends. His wives, Lillian and Violet, his parents, grandson, Mark Tufto, two step-sons, James and Les Johnson, two sisters, and six brothers preceded him in death. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com