David Anthony Balducke Sr. "Tony", was born on December 16, 1944 to Frank and Leona (Holst) Balducke. He was the youngest of nine children. Tony was raised on the family ranch southwest of Sidney, which was purchased in 1964, when he and his brother Ben purchased the river place in 1971 where he resided to this day. On November 7, 1970 he married his true love and lifelong partner Kay Miller at 1st Lutheran Church in Savage. To this marriage three children were born: Tammy, Brenda and David. Tony was a loving husband, father, brother, grandpa, uncle and respected cattleman.
Tony's passion was farming and ranching side by side with his brother Ben and his son David. He lived each day to its fullest and was a very skilled worker whatever the task at hand may be. He always said when he went on a vacation that it felt more like a vacation when he got home; that is how much he loved what he did. He was an honest man that treated everyone with respect and was liked by many.
Tony died on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 surrounded by his family at the Billings Clinic.
Tony is survived by: his wife, Kay Balducke; two daughters, Tammy (Joey) Steinbeisser and Brenda Balducke; a son, David (Kayla) Balducke, all of Sidney, MT; grandchildren, Kendra Balducke, Chayna Basta, Krissa Jones, Brenley Steinbeisser, Landan Jones, Amiya Steinbeisser, and one on the way, all of Sidney; two brothers, Billy Balducke and Ben Balducke, both of Sidney, MT; five sisters; Myrtle Brown, Lois McRae, Francie Mackin, all of Miles City, MT, Louise (Bud) Rehbein and Mary (Leon) Thrams, of Sidney, MT.
Tony was preceded in death by: his parents; an infant brother; a sister, Maebelle (Eugene) Staggs.
Tony will be missed dearly by many.
Funeral service for David "Tony" Balducke, 66, of Sidney, MT is 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at the Richland County Event Center with Pastor George Karres officiating from Pella Lutheran Church. Music provided by Janelle Anderson. Casketbearers are Roger Rehbein, Tom Rehbein, Dean Rehbein, Luke Malsam, Chris Larson, Terry Carpenter, Joe Leland and Vernon Schroeder. Honorary Casketbearers are Deb Winter, Dora Christensen, Yvette Lien, Jocelyn Malo, Stacey Indergard, Twyla Gustafson, Belva Leer, Melissa Knudsen, Jan Nelson, and Jamie Wyman. Ushers are Dave Winter, Brian Rasmussen, Cory Foss and Kevin Leland.