Pearl Richtmyre Balts Christen

Pearl Richtmyre Balts Christen passed away at her home, Thursday, July 21, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Pearl was born March 15, 1937, in Wild Rose, to Ernest and Jenny Richtmyre.

She graduated from Cadott High School.

Pearl married the love of her life, Donald “Don” Balts.

She was involved in her church, teaching Sunday School, VBS and managing the kitchens. Pearl was famous for her fundraisers and organizational skills.

Together, Pearl and Donald had a construction business, then added a family dairy farm in rural Cadott, to her life. Pearl loved the Cadott farm life; the neighborhood kids all had a home at her house. They were all treated like her own.

Pearl was known as a social butterfly; even while fighting her cancer, she enjoyed visitors.

She was blessed with eight children: Larry (Tammy) Balts, Randy (Inga) Balts, Jean (David) Evans, Lynn Wilson (Dick), Wayne Balts, Jerry Balts, Patricia (Doug) Love and Kyle (Lana) Balts.

After the death of Donald, she sold the family farm and remarried to Jim Christen, and became stepmom to Robin (Rick) Lane and Teresa (Richard) Stamey. She then moved to Arkansas.

Pearl enjoyed fishing, traveling, game nights, and entertaining friends and family. After moving back to the Chippewa Falls area, Pearl enjoyed her garden and flowers.

She is survived by Jim Christen; seven children; 24 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers – Phil (Jean) Richtmyre and David (Carol) Richtmyre; one sister – Alice Wallace; two stepdaughters; four step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband – Don Balts; two daughters – Lynn and infant Bonnie Lou; one brother; four sisters; three brothers-in-law – Richard, Norm Balts and Orland Gustum; and a granddaughter – Allison Balts.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 29, at Landmark Christian Church in Chippewa Falls, with Pastor Brad Crocker officiating. Interment will be in the Countryside Union Cemetery, in the Town of Goetz, Chippewa County.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, July 28, at Leiser Funeral in Cadott, and also one hour prior to the service, Friday morning, at the church.

A special thank you to Pearl’s daughters, Linda, Jean and Pat, for their care and to St. Joseph’s Hospice.

Memorials are preferred by the family. Online condolences may expressed at www.leiserfuneralhome. com.