Worthington, MN
     Lorraine Fern Balas, age 91, was born on April 4, 1925 in Worthington, MN. She was baptized Lorraine Fern Christensen at First Lutheran Church in Worthington. She grew up on a farm outside of Worthington, MN. She moved to California after graduation from High School where she met and married John Gabriel Balas. They had three children: Cindy, Sonja, and Mike. They later divorced. She returned to Worthington where she ran a restaurant with her sister Vonnie Christensen. She later moved to Stewartville, MN with her children. She worked at a restaurant owned by the Pappa’s brothers above the Rochester International Airport. She also worked at Crenlo in Rochester, MN where she retired from in 1990. After retirement she helped raise her great-grandchild, Blake. She then moved back to Worthington into a retirement home with her sister Vonnie Christensen and her sister-in-law Marie Christensen. She enjoyed square dancing in her free time, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lorraine died on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda, MN.
     Lorraine is survived by her children Cindy Lentine of Anchorage, AK, Sonja Hendee (Wayne) of Winder, GA, and Mike Balas (Shannon) from Richmond Hill, GA. She is also survived by her grandchildren Stacy Hanson McConnell (Jerry) of Stewartville, MN, John David Lentine (Deykis) of St. Petersburg, FL, Kazz Hendee of Pompano Beach, FL, Keil Hendee (Monica) of Pompano Beach, FL, Katy Hendee of Pompano Beach, FL, Sean Balas of Richmond Hill, GA, Andrew Balas of Richmond Hill, GA, and Nicholas of Richmond Hill, GAa. She also is survived by 8 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father Gunder Christensen, her mother Lauretta (Horst) Christensen, four brothers; Chuck, Don, Glen, & Norman, two sisters; Vonnie and Betty.
     Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 25, 2016, at 1:00 p.m., at the Benson Funeral Home Chapel in Worthington, MN. Burial will be in the Worthington Cemetery.
