Clara Balmer, 85

Clara M. (Love) Balmer, 85, of Nampa, formerly of Mountain Home, died July 16, 2005, at home, surrounded by her family and friends.

A memorial service is planned for the near future.

Clara was born July 30, 1919, in Mountain Home, on the Love Ranch, to William and Lizzie Love. She was the youngest of nine children and was affectionately called "Babe" most of her life by her family and friends.

She graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1936 and attended business college in Seattle where she graduated in 1938.

Clara moved back to Mountain Home and married Robert Balmer on April 13, 1946. Their lives took them to Carson City, Nev., where both were involved in the gaming industry until their retirement in 1982.

Clara went to work for the Nevada State Legislature in 1985 and was employed there until 1991 when she decided to finally retire and enjoy a life of golf and travel with the local Senior Center members in Carson City.

Clara and Robert moved to Nampa in 2001 to be closer to their families.

Clara was a member of the Nampa Seventh-day Adventist Church where "she was really loved by all her church family," her family said, adding, "Clara was much loved by her family and friends; she had a great sense of humor, even to the end and her family is grateful to have had her in their lives."

She is survived by: two daughters, Karel Knigge-Casebeer and Joann Burnsed, both of Nampa; five grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Robert, in November of 2003.

In lieu of flowers, Joann and Karel have requested memorials be made to the Nampa Seventh-day Adventist Church, 307 W. Iowa Ave., Nampa, ID 83686, or to a favorite charity.