Therese LeMoine Balke, 97, of Kansas City, MO, passed away October 1, 2026, at her care home in Overland Park, KS.
Therese was born February 14, 1929, in Concordia, Kansas, to John LeMoine and Josephine (Lanier) LeMoine. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elroy C. Balke, 3 brothers, 1 sister, and her son-in-law David B. Jones.
Therese is survived by her sister Yvonne Muller of Blue Springs, MO; brother-in-law Robert Hodge of Paola; her three children, Charles Patrick (Kathy) Balke of Pierceton, IN, Janice Balke of Kansas City, MO, and Ellen Balke-Jones of Overland Park, KS, 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and over 45 nieces and nephews.
Therese grew up in Concordia, KS, attending Concordia High School. She played softball there in high school. She was trained as a registered nurse in the early 1950s at St. Joseph Hospital, then as a CRNA in Omaha, NE. She worked as a CRNA at City Hospital, Research Medical Center, and Menorah Medical Center.
Therese married Elroy C. Balke on October 11, 1958, at Visitation Parish in KCMO. They raised three children in Kansas City.
Therese was a trained Montessori Teacher. One passion was helping children reach their full potential through Montessori education. She was a longtime member of the Fatima Choir here in Kansas City. She loved God and was a staunch supporter of life in all its stages. She was a lifelong Catholic. She was always ready to help others and gave generously to many worthy charities over the years. Therese loved puttering in her yard, music, singing, and reading. Her favorite movie was The Sound of Music. This may be related to the fact that she actively pursued a vocation with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, but after several months with the Sisters she was advised by the leaders of the order that she was probably not suited!
Visitation followed by the Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Overland Park, KS, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 and internment at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Raytown, MO.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers who helped care for Therese in her later years, including Theresa, Stella, Leo, Lynne, along with all the staff at CareHaven/Senior Care Homes. Online condolences may be left at: www.MuehlebachChapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to Missouri Right to Life at www.missourilife.org/donate.
