Irene Balzart

Irene M. (nee Carr) Balzart, age 94, of Forest Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2019.  Irene was born July 13, 1925 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  She was a woman ahead of her time.  She worked with Howard Hughes in San Diego, California as a Rosie Riveter during WWII.  Following the war, she moved back to Saint Paul, Minnesota where she worked for Strauss Knitting Mills, Pearson’s Candy Company, and owned a dress shop in White Bear Lake called Village Shop before owning Lobby Lunch restaurant in Lowertown Saint Paul, Minnesota. She catered weddings and had a booth at the Minnesota State Fair.   She later went back to school to obtain her Dietary Food Service License and began a 20-year career at District Memorial Hospital, where she oversaw their food service department.  She retired from Centennial School District after maintaining their food service department for 20 years.  Irene was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Family was everything to her. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Rose Carr; husband, William Balzart.  She is survived by her children, Barbara (Ron) Husnik, Wyoming, Minnesota, Kathy Militello, Gilbert, Arizona, Roseanne (Garlyn) Bergdale, Tempe, Arizona, Bill (Keri) Balzart, Mahtomedi, Minnesota, Mark (Audrey) Balzart, Las Vegas, Nevada, Mary (John) Allred, Prescott, Arizona; twelve grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sister, June; other family and friends.  A private family gathering will be held at a later date.