Myrtle Balster

Myrtle Balster passed away on Feb. 27 after a sudden, brief illness. She was the model for an ideal mom with an independent personality, who worked and lived each day to the fullest.

She was born to Frank and Gertrude Lampers in Oak Harbor, Wash., in 1922. She was the third child in their family of nine. Experiencing a large, busy family and growing up in the Depression, she developed inter-connectedness with people and an ability to live with less.

Independent at an early age, Myrtle moved out of her family’s house at age 14 and worked in families’ homes to earn money during the Depression, going to her parent’s house on the weekends. She used her funds to help herself afford necessary school items and graduated from OHHS.

She worked at Dr. Chafee’s office during World War II, which she enjoyed. Myrtle met Ulbe Balster at the end of the war and started a family.

Being an entrepreneur, Myrtle started doing day care in 1963 and continued for 47 years. The first clients were the Fosso boys. Her business built up quickly and she developed a fun and memorable program. Her work ethic was a strength, as in day care there were no vacations or sick days. There was always a waiting list for her day care.

Quietly, Myrtle was an avid letter writer to friends and family. Her weekly letters were looked forward to by all. With her sister, Gert, she became a voracious reader. They read two to three books a week, starting when she was 60 years old. She loved fashion and sewing and could make her own patterns. In summer and early fall, Myrtle — most often with her brother-in-law, Pat Sullivan — smelt fished on the beaches on the east side of Whidbey Island. This earned her the nickname, “Smelt Lady.” Many people benefited from her generous gifts of smelt.

After her retirement at 88 years old, she took a cruise and used her cooking skills to bring food and desserts to friends, family, ill members of the Christian Reformed Church and the members of her important 5 a.m. coffee group at McDonald’s.

Myrtle Balster will be missed by family, her coffee buddies and the many generations of children who enjoyed being in her day care. She was a lifetime member of the Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church.

Preceding her in death were her sisters and brothers, Ann Vander Pol, Jake Lampers, Marie Lampers, Theresa Faber, Martin Lampers and Gertrude Sullivan.

She is survived by her sister and brother, Nell Donovan and Calvin Lampers. She is also survived by her children, John (Bonnie) Balster, Fred (Alicia) Balster, Jeri Goebel, Rhonda (Rick) Wallace and Richard (Marlene) Balster.

She is survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren Wendy (Chad) Vivoli, Halle and Brynn; Sheri (Eric) Matz, Samantha and Vincent; Kari Goebel; Kristi (Davis) Webster and Sebastian; Kendra Wallace and Sawyer; Amy Wallace (Andy Martinez), Ashlyn, Eric and Blake; Chad (Kristy) Wallace and Liam; Jack Balster; and Erika Arvizu (Richard) and Ava and Zande.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. March 11 at Oak Harbor Christian Reformed Church, located off Swantown Road, at 1411 Wieldraayer Road. With her love of children, remembrances can be made to Oak Harbor Christian School.