Barbara Anne Morgan Balius

Barbara Anne Morgan Balius loved all people and was loved by all people. It was a love rooted in her faith in the Triune God of all creation, redemption, and holy presence. When Barbara died at the age of 58 on Sunday, February 25, 2024, her love did not end, and never will. Barbara was born to the Reverend Doctor Thomas Morgan, a Lutheran pastor, and pharmacist Diane Boxrud Morgan in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 18, 1965. She grew up in different parsonages in several states, but it was in New Orleans where Barbara and her three beloved siblings grew and prospered. A 1983 graduate of Alfred Bonnabel High School, the always inquisitive, eloquent, musical Barbara then received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College. Later, she earned a Master of Education degree from Concordia University. Barbara was a lifelong Lutheran who believed in the power of God’s amazing grace to affect positive change in people’s lives. She was clever, artistic, generous, and forgiving, as evident in her work as a youth and family minister in several Lutheran churches. At the age of 42, Barbara adopted Katherine Diane Morgan. She fell in love with a widowed friend, Alan Balius, and married him on November 23, 2008. Their marriage was full of love and patience through good times and bad; even after fifteen-plus years, it ended too soon. There are many ways to describe Barbara, but “quiet” was not always accurate! Her laughter was hearty and infectious. Her passion for various causes was honest and obvious. Her love for those who were most disadvantaged was obvious in her teaching years at Riley House School and Oates Elementary. Needing to be close to Katie and her special needs, Barbara became a stay-at-home “teacherpreneur” through Teachers Pay Teachers. Her teaching resources were and are extremely helpful for elementary school students and teachers. Barbara is predeceased by her parents and has entered eternal life in heaven to be with them again. Her chosen family includes her husband, Alan, and her daughter, Katherine Diane. Her surviving family of origin includes Kristina Morgan Robinson, Thomas Fielding Morgan and Michael Luke Morgan StandingElk, and her niece and nephew, Arianna and Francis Robinson. She is also survived by her uncles, Dale Boxrud and Dennis Boxrud, and her cousins, Jill Rick, Amy Peterson, and Chris Boxrud. Barbara also leaves behind her loving stepmother, Sheila Grissett, and her step siblings, Erin McAllister, Brack Braxton, and Jason Welsh, as well their children and grandchildren that she treasured. A memorial worship service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 4600 Bellaire Boulevard, Bellaire, Texas 77401. At a later date, Barbara’s remains will be interred in the columbarium at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given in Barbara’s memory to Faith Lutheran Church, Bellaire, to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Houston, or to St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Barbara Anne Morgan Balius

May 18, 1965 - February 25, 2024