Manuela "Nellie" Balderrama

Our beautiful mother, Manuela “Nellie” Balderrama passed from natural causes over to heaven in the early morning hours of February 24, 2018. Nellie was born on June 19, 1919 in Clarkdale, Arizona. She attended school and grew up in her hometown. As a young woman Nellie was sitting on the porch of her home reading a book when she sensed someone approaching her home. She raised the book to her face to ignore her guest. Curiosity got the best of her so she lowered the book to see who it was and little did she know her guest had tossed a pebble to hit the book cover to catch her attention. Instead the tossed pebble hit her on the top of the head. This event became the first encounter with her future husband, Jesus “Chuy” Balderrama. Eventually they married on March 5, 1941. From this point they celebrated 62 years of marriage.

Nellie and Chuy initially relocated to Phoenix, Arizona where their first two children were born. When Chuy was stationed overseas during WWII, Nellie lived with her in-laws. After Chuy fulfilled his tour of duty in Europe, he volunteered (along with his good friend Cliff Lutes) as an instructor for the Army Air Corp at Gowen Field. His love for Idaho prompted him to move his family to Boise. This became Nellie and Chuy’s lifetime home-base. After moving to Boise, one more child joined the family. Nellie stayed at home to raise her family. She was a wonderful and loving mother. She had many talents: she was an excellent cook, master seamstress, canned seasonal fruits and veggies, and was very artistic. She tried her hand in ceramics and painting. Everything she attempted to pursue, she did with grace and with her best effort.

Nellie endured one more move when Chuy was transferred with his job to Grandview, Idaho. She would often reiterate that she was told that “it will only be for two years,” which evolved in 20 years. She was very happy when Chuy retired and they returned to Boise. Her retirement years were spent being involved with her grown children. Her biggest joy was babysitting her grandchildren. She loved all of them so much. As both Nellie and Chuy aged they moved into assisted living. Chuy passed away September 2009 and Nellie lived a little over eight years without him. Her last move and home was Ivy Place, where her last two years of life were spent having quality care. It was at this home where Nellie passed away.

She is survived by her children, Nell (John) Slocumb, Toni (Richard) Allen; grandchildren, John (Rebecca) Kyger, Robert (Nicole) Kyger, Lindsay Allen, and Hillary Allen; two great grandchildren, Paxton and Briggs Kyger; as well as many extended family members. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Chuy; son, Ronald; grandchild, Christine Kyger; and her parents and her siblings.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Ivy House who treated their mother like she was family. They are all truly angels on this side of heaven. The same sense of gratefulness goes to the hospice team, Megan, Julie, and Christie, who cared tirelessly for their mother.

If you find it in your hearts, any donation to a charity of your choice would make Nellie proud.
Services for Nellie will be held later this year in June of 2018 with a date to be announced at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. It is there that she will be inurned with her husband at their final resting place.