Leonard Louis Balvin, 96

Leonard Louis Balvin, 96, of Chelsea, IA, passed away August 20, 2022, at the Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown, IA.

Leonard was born on February 28, 1926, to Louis and Emma (Drahos) Balvin at home in rural Chelsea. He graduated from Chelsea High School in 1944. Leonard was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1945, deployed to Germany during WWII, and served as a radio operator in France, Italy and Africa until returning home in time for Christmas of 1946.

Following his service, Leonard worked in Cedar Rapids at Collins Radio. On June 23, 1953, Leonard married the love of his life, Florence L. Kalinay at St. JosephÕs Catholic Church, Chelsea. Together they raised their 11 children in Chelsea where Leonard worked various farming jobs and at the Vavra Sawmill before retiring from Quaker Oats after 28 years.

Leonard and Florence loved polka dances, traveling around the Midwest to attend them. Leonard enjoyed tinkering with electronics and anything to do with nature, feeding the birds, taking pictures of flowers and clouds, and watching the night sky. He passed his love of gardening to his children. He was an amazing, strong-willed man who clearly lived with love and concern for his wife and family.

Leonard was a member of St. JosephÕs Catholic Church, the Chelsea American Legion and the Chelsea Fire Department.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Florence Balvin; sons: Larry (Janet), of Chelsea, Randy (Diane), of Hartwick, Jerry (Val), of Chelsea, Dan, of Belle Plaine, Jason (Kelly), Aaron (Melissa), both of Chelsea; daughters: Ellen (Tom) Upah, Jamie (Paul) Kupka, Sally (Steve) Slaven, all of Chelsea; daughter-in-law, Colleen Balvin, of Elberon, 25 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sons, Steve (1991) and Joe (2021); grandchildren: Tianna Purk (1997), Joseph Jr. Balvin (2001), Erik Upah (2001); sisters: Wilma Malina, Evelyn Zmolek and brother Allen Balvin.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 25, 2022, at St. JosephÕs Catholic Church, Chelsea. Burial will take place at St. JosephÕs Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Wednesday August 24th at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine with Rosary at 4:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.neuahusfuneralservice.com