Helene Marie Balsat

Helene Marie Balsat, a Lab retiree, died Jan. 6. She was 86.

Born Nov. 10, 1928, in Fostoria, Ohio to the late Gustav and Bertha Balsat, she was the youngest of five children. She spent her childhood and early adulthood in Fostoria, graduating from Fostoria High School in 1946. She also lived in Phoenix and the Bay Area, finally settling in Las Vegas to raise her daughter.

Balsat worked for the Lab for more than 30 years with the most of her time spent at the Nevada Test Site. While in Las Vegas, she was an active member of Reformation Lutheran Church. After retiring, she moved to Incline Village at Lake Tahoe to be near her granddaughters.

She is survived by her only child, Dr. Emily Smith of Incline Village; son-in-law, Dale E. Smith; granddaughters Taylor Helene and Alexa Jean; her twin sister, Helen Horner of Long Beach; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Gustav and Arthur Balsat; and her sister, Ruth Soraghan.

Balsat lived for 35 years with Parkinson's disease. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or a charity of choice.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. at the Village Presbyterian Church in Incline Village, Nev. A reception will follow at the home of Dale and Emily Smith.