Carrie C. Balfour, age 89, of Sidney, NE went to be with Jesus on the morning of March 8, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 15, 2024 at Faith Methodist Church in Sidney, NE with Pastor Corey Jenkins officiating. The casket will be closed and services will conclude at the church. Inurnment will follow at a later date. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website.
Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Event Center, 1212 10th Avenue, Sidney, NE on Thursday from 1-6:00 P.M. to leave condolences for the family.
You may view Carrie’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Carrie’s care and funeral arrangements.
Carrie was born in Nebraska City, NE on August 1, 1934 to Elmer and Cordelia (Fields) Conkling. She grew up and went to High School in Nebraska City. Carrie was very active in High School. She was the FHA President, Snow Queen Attendant, Homecoming Attendant, played the oboe and glockenspiel in the band and was the 1951 FFA Sweetheart. In 1949, her sophomore year, she met her lifelong love, Robert R. Balfour. She was not allowed to ride on his Harley, so their dates were with the 1931 four door Chevy.
After HS, Carrie went to Cottey Women’s College. Then Peru State College. Then finally graduated from University of Nebraska, Lincoln with a BS in Home Economics. With one semester to go, She and Robert (Bob) got married. June 11, 1955. Carrie went back to school, finished her degree, then they headed to Paris Island, SC. Bob was in the Marine Corp, Carrie taught 8th grade science in Beaufort, SC. In 1957, Bob’s Marine service took them to Barstow, CA. They lived in a small house on a farm. In exchange for them “watching the farm” and stacking the hay, they received free rent. In 1957 they had Robert Jr. In 1958 they had Rodger.
In 1958, Carrie found herself headed to Omaha with her young family. Carrie stayed busy in Omaha by volunteering as an Assistant Den Mother for Cub Scouts, singing in the church choir, and being active in PEO. She must not have been too busy because she had 4 more children before moving to Sidney in 1968. Carrie drove 400 miles in a station wagon with 6 little kids and her mother.
In 1969, Carrie had her 7th and final child, Mary. Carrie spent the rest of her life in Sidney. She was known in Sidney for her involvement as a youth choir director at the Light Memorial Presbyterian Church, room mother at South Ward Elementary, substitute teacher, census worker, polling place volunteer, her musical “Hat Show”, delivering Meals on Wheels, singing with the Fort Sidney Colonels, and singing at various wedding and funerals. Carrie loved to sing. Musicals have always been her favorite movies/shows. Carrie may have been best known as the Matriarch of Balfour Family Fireworks.
In 1984, with 7 kids, community activities, and wife responsibilities, Carrie and Bob purchased Sidney Floral. Every arrangement was made with love. Customers were like family to her. Every customer received special service. Many of her customers and employees became lifelong friends.
Besides her family and music, Carrie’s love was the mountains. Right after fireworks were finished, she and Bob would go to their small cabin in the mountains. The mountains were her “little slice of heaven".
Carrie was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Cordelia Conkling, her beloved Uncle Herbert Fields and her Aunt Carolyn, her only sister Marvel Gillespie and a great grandson.
Carrie is survived by her loving husband, Robert R. Balfour, her children: Robert R. Balfour Jr. and wife Janine of Boise, ID, Rodger Balfour of Sidney, NE, Brian Balfour and wife Susan of Casper, WY, Janelle Balfour in Burns, WY, Martha Gibbs of Sidney, NE, Ross Balfour and wife Sage of San Antonio, TX, and Mary Meyer of Sidney, NE. 23 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Carrie also had 3 foreign exchange students that called her mom as did numerous kids in the neighborhood.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Folds Of Honor and PEO in honor of Carrie. If you are thinking of attending the service, the family is asking that you wear purple. Carrie loved the color purple.