Eldon William Balko, 94, of Valparaiso, IN died on April 8, 2025 at Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, IN. Eldon was born on March 30, 1931 in Almena, WI, to William and Leona (Ellefson) Balko. He earned his undergraduate degree from UW Superior and his Masters in Music from Michigan State University. His professional life was dedicated to choral music at Concordia College and UWM, Milwaukee, WI, and Valparaiso University, Valparaiso IN.
Donna Lee Balko, 96, also of Valparaiso, IN preceded her husband, Eldon, in death on March 10, 2025, at Story Point, Granger, IN. Donna was born September 9, 1928 to Alfred J. and Olive (Kuhnes) Knutson in Wadena, IA. She served many years at the Valparaiso University Credit Union and Bookstore.
In 1949, Donna was wed to William Orville Harris and they had a son, Ron. In 1955, William was in the US Air Force when he died in the line of duty.
Donna and Eldon were wed on August 9, 1958 in Bryan, OH. They made their home in Rockford, MI; Milwaukee, WI; and Valparaiso, IN. Together they had two more children, Rebecca and Tim.
Eldon is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Marian (Vernon) Kunkel, and a brother Curtis (Lois). He is survived by a sister, Loris (Leonard) Becker, and a brother, Harris (Diane.) Donna is preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Dorothy, and Marcia (Ray) Simmons and a brother Alfred. Both are preceded in death by twin grandchildren, Trevor and Amber Balko.
They are survived by sons, Ron (Lois Berner), Moorhead MN; Tim (Leann Keen), Mishawaka, IN; and daughter Rebecca (Mark) Duesenberg, Rocky River, OH; six grandchildren: Brendan (Kristen Moyle) Balko, Altus, OK; Colin Balko, Fargo, ND; and Evan (Alycia Heisler) Balko, Moorhead MN; Jessica Balko (Justin Loughran), Keenville, IN; Joshua Balko, Kinsey Allen, Mishawaka IN; and Anna Duesenberg, as well as two great grandchildren, Millie and Harrison Balko.
A memorial service will be held at the Valparaiso University Chapel on May 24th, 2025 at 11:00am (CDT) with a reception immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Valparaiso University Music Department (valpo.edu/music) or the Lutheran Summer Music Academy (lsmacademy.org).
GUESTBOOK
My heart is heavy for the loss of Eldon and Donna, but my soul is nourished by having known them. Prayers and love to the Balko family. -Katie (Luekens) Chan Chee
Dear Tim and Becky, While many grieve the death of your parents, your grief is a heart’s hole that only children can fully know. It is our pain and our gift of the blessing of love. I pray for your strength in these words: “Ills that still grieve me Soon are to leave me; Though billows tower, and winds gain power, After the storm the fair sun shows its face. Joys e’er increasing And peace never ceasing: These shall I treasure and share in full measure When in His mansions God grants me a place. LSB 726:3 Your sister in Christ, -Pam Doebert Stumpf. ‘81
There is no way to put into words the feelings I have toward Professor and Mrs. Balko. From the time I set foot on VU's campus, they both made me feel like I belonged there. They welcomed me into their home and their lives. Professor Balko was truly my mentor, and believed in me when many didn't. He was always the person I could count on to go to talk to in order to set me straight about something I had concerns about. He definitely would not be warm and fuzzy to me - he would tell me to pick myself up and don't let outside forces bother me. Then he would end the talk with a hug and a very alarmingly hard pat on the back. I was able to stay close with the Balkos even after college because I stayed in Professor Balko's community choir, Laudate, for several years. Professor Balko also was responsible for starting the VNA Hospice Choir in Porter County, ministering music to the dying. He asked me to join the choir in 2007 - well, we all know he never asked, he voluntold you that you were doing it!! A few years after I had sung with the choir, he asked me to lunch. I was nervous but intrigued, because we had had lunch before, but he told me that a member of the VNA was joining us. At lunch, he asked me to take over the VNA Hospice Choir. I have never been more honored that he would allow me the privilege of stepping into his huge shoes to fulfill a role that would change my life. He stayed behind the scenes for me, offering his advice in his living room whenever I needed it. If I didn't a piece of music arrangement for 3 part women, I would ask him about it, and 24 hours later (sometimes sooner) it would arrive on my doorstep. Oddly enough, I just recently stepped down from that position after almost 16 years. I was blessed to have the Balkos as a part of my life for my adulthood, and I will never ever forget them. Mrs. Balko used to tease me, and say "You know you can call him Eldon now, you're earned it!" Never. Always, Professor Balko to me. So many memories to cherish. My sympathies to Tim, Rebecca, Ron, and all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. -Deena Butterfield
-Pam Stumpf
It was a honor and joy to know Eldon, I'm going to truly miss him and send all my love and condolences to his family. Holy cross village of Notre Dame, -Geri Washington
My condolences to the Balko family. I wish that I would have sung longer than a single semester under Eldon Balko's direction at Concordia–Milwaukee. I would have been a much better musician in later years. My admiration for his dedication to and skillfulness in musicality has continued lifelong. -Dennis Prechel
I am a better person for knowing Eldon and his beloved wife, Donna, and their children. Eldon, was the kindest soul and brought joy and greatfulness to this world. Though, I only had the pleasure of knowing these two for the last 14 months of their lives, they made a profound impact on my heart. -Nikki Baiz
Eldon Balko was a force of nature as a choir director. Decades after singing in his Valparaiso University Chapel Choir, I still hear church music and wonder, "How would Eldon Balko have insisted on phrasing that?" He was uniquely capable of motivating any group that couldn't sing a terminal "S" in unison to pull it together. We were not his elite choir, and yet his goal was no less than to "put people on their knees" in church. Professor Balko somehow demanded perfection, or as close as we could get to it, with great kindness and humor. He may already have pitched in with an angel choir somewhere that needs work, but here, he will be missed. -Paul Kapfer
Dear Becky and Tim, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your wonderful parents, but I know their life together was a long and well lived one. Those of us who were very fortunate to know them will not only remember the love your dad put into music but the love both of them gave freely to everyone. I vividly remember, as if it were yesterday, your father driving me to a Chicago hospital in the middle of the night (February of 1980) to be with my family at the passing of my father who was only 49. And throughout the rest of that school year, your mother always welcomed me with open arms checking to see that I was ok. I believe in angels, and I believe that while our parents were our earthly guardians, they are now our heavenly guardian angels. Yes, you will miss them, but they will always be with you. May you have peace and wonderful memories. -Susan (nee: Shabaz) Demmon
