Beatrice "Mosie" Balenger, age 87, of 509 4th Avenue N.W., Gladstone, died early Tuesday morning June 6, 2006 at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.

Beatrice was born March 18, 1919, at her family home in Escanaba, the daughter of Henry and Alice (Pepin) Beauchamp. Beatrice was raised in Escanaba and was a 1937 graduate of the Escanaba High School. On February 8, 1941, Beatrice married Isaac Balenger, in Escanaba, and together the couple relocated to the Gladstone area where they made their home and raised their family. Isaac preceded her in death on August 29, 1989. Throughout her life, Beatrice primarily worked at home as a homemaker raising her family. Later in life, Beatrice belonged to the Gladstone Senior Center. She was a senior bus driver for the Community Action Agency and enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, reading and completing crossword puzzles. Beatrice loved to spend time with her family and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include:

2 Daughters: Alice Belongia of Gladstone, MI; Bea (Richard) Micheau of Flat Rock, MI

1 Brother: Floyd Beauchamp of Gladstone, MI

Grandchildren: Isaac (Debra) Micheau of Gladstone, MI; Rick (Shelli) Micheau of Gladstone, MI; Clint (Diane) Micheau of Soo Hill, MI; Dave (Stella) Belongia of Menominee, MI; Henry (Tanya) Belongia Jr. Of Gladstone, MI; Annette (Tony) Brousseau of Rapid River, MI

Great Grandchildren: Isaac, Amanda, Jacob, Hannah, Lisa (Mark), Gabe, Matthew, Elizabeth, Ron Jr. and Walter

Great Great Grandchildren: Christian and Tracy

Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Henry and Alice and her husband, Isaac, Beatrice was preceded in death by:

2 Sisters: Olive Lancour and Margaret Marohnic

1 Infant Grandson: Henry "Bud" Belongia

1 Infant Great Grandson: David J. Belongia Jr.
 
Family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00PM to 6:00PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services celebrating the life of Beatrice "Mosie" Balenger will follow visitation, at 6:00PM, at the Skradski Funeral Home, with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow of the All Saints Catholic Church, officiating. Luncheon will follow funeral services. Committal will be in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. The Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Balenger family with arrangements.