Denelle Balschweid

Denelle (Deni) Balschweid
August 16th, 1946 - January 6th, 2018
Denelle Balschweid passed away Saturday, January 6th peacefully in her home.
Deni was born in Alameda, CA to Gary and Irene deRemer. She grew up traveling and graduated from Inglewood High School in 1964 where she excelled at modern dance and creative writing. After graduating high school, she moved to Oregon where she would spend the next 54 years of her life.
Deni was married to Jon Balschweid for 33 years. She was the lead vocalist of Dr. Jon’s Jazz Band, which performed in Japan in both 1988 and 1994. Aside from her amazing vocal abilities, she co-hosted Good Time Jazz on KGAL radio with Jon in 1984 and 1985 and coordinated 10 different jazz festivals in Albany, OR. In 1984, Deni also worked with the City of Albany and the Musician’s Union to coordinate their first concert that is known as The River Rhythms of today.
There are many things Deni enjoyed doing. Some of them included having family gatherings with all of her family in one place, painting companies’ windows during the holidays, and making those around her laugh. She could be found supporting her eldest daughter Lisa’s horse adventures, loving the outdoors with her son Bryan, in the stands and keeping score at her daughter Felicia’s softball games, and cheering loudly at her granddaughter Danielle’s rodeo events. No amount of miles could keep her from her families’ extracurricular activities.
Deni was an active member of South Albany Community Church up until the last few years. She very much enjoyed volunteering at Sunrise Elementary School and hosting birthday parties at the Mennonite Home.
Deni is survived by husband Jon Balschweid, brothers Harald Leuba (Nancy) and Jeff deRemer, sister Genie Schiller (Heinz), daughters Lisa Schiller (Billy) and Felicia Henderson (Eric), son Bryan Schiller (Laura), grandchildren Danielle Schiller and Joseph and Joshua Schiller, great grandson Chase, dog Boston, and cat Maddie.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon and/or the Humane Society.
A Celebration of Life will take place at South Albany Community Church (2418 SE Geary St. Albany, OR 97322) on Saturday, February 10th at 11am followed by a reception.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements .