Nancy Lee Balck, née Sauber, died Monday evening, February 20, 2023. She is survived by her five children, Jonathan (Heather), Charles (Annie), Elizabeth, Ralph Edward (Nina Palmo) and Michael (Margaret); her 14 grandchildren Maisie, Auden, James and Charles Balck, Mabel, Winston, Louise and Francis Balck, Henry and George Monsma, Elsa and Linnea Balck, and Liesel and Nora Balck; and her 13 siblings Judy Smith, C. Michael (Audrey) Sauber, T. Patrick Sauber, Mary (Woody) Carnahan, Janette (Jim) Jackson, Maureen (Tom) Carney, John (Trina) Sauber, Kathleen Sauber, Susan (Roger Silverstein) Sauber, Joanne Sellen, Joe (Ginan Kalenik) Sauber, Jim (Heidi) Sauber and David (Anne) Sauber. She is preceded in death by her husband Ralph Balck, sister Edwina Sauber and sister-in-law Laura Sauber.

Nancy was a teacher and learner. Born in the small river town of Algonac, MI on November 8, 1942, she graduated from Michigan State University and began her teaching career in suburban Detroit. She met her husband Ralph and they settled in Grand Rapids to build a life and family together. Over the next 38 years, they raised five wonderful children. Ralph founded and ran a solo engineering business that endured until his death in 2012. Nancy taught third and fourth graders at St. Stephen Catholic School for over 20 years. In her own gentle way, she was an active and strong advocate for her students.

Nancy's faith guided her throughout her life and fed her curiosity about science, politics and ethics. She gave her kids – both her own children and her many students – a model of genuine goodness, a consistent example of empathy and critical thinking, and a lifelong appreciation of this beautiful world. Nana adored her 14 grandchildren, who delighted in her care and love. Ralph and Nancy raised their joyful family in the same Maxwell Street house where she died peacefully surrounded by her five children.

Nancy's life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 am Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 2750 Burton St, Grand Rapids, MI. The family will greet friends and relatives one hour prior to the service at St. Paul. Lunch reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Nancy's name to the Fund for Education at:

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

185 Oakes Street SW

Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503

(616) 454-1751

www.givegr.org/Balck