Thelma Louise Graber Balden, 81, of Springfield, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 22, 2009 in her home. She was born in Pierce City, Missouri on September 22, 1927 to Samuel A. Graber and Mabel A. Frazier Graber. Thelma graduated from high school in Pierce City in 1945. On March 24, 1950 she married Fred H. Balden, Jr. and they moved to Springfield in 1953. She received a two year Teaching Certificate from Southwest Missouri Teacher's College (now M.S.U.). Following her time as a teacher at Chapman School near Jolly Mill she worked for Sears, Union National Bank, and was a Unit Manager for Tupperware Distributor Sharp Sales Company. Thelma enjoyed being active in the PTA Council, gardening, growing flowers, and she was an avid cook. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a brother, James Graber, a sister, Vera Lee Stotts, and an infant grandson, Jack Mayhall. She is survived by her husband, Fred H. Balden, Jr., of the home; two sons, J. Allen Balden, of Springfield, Missouri; and Fred H. Balden, III, of Nixa, Missouri; two daughters, Sammy Mayhall and partner Mike Hackworth of Springfield, Missouri and Sally Wade and husband Leroy of New Bloomfield, Missouri; five grandchildren, Caleb Mayhall of Chicago, Illinois, Molly Mayhall of Austin, Texas, Cara Coats and her mother Debby Coats of Springfield, Missouri, Madeline Vandergrift and husband Jacob of Springfield, Missouri, and Hannah Wade of New Bloomfield, Missouri; a long time friend and fellow cookbook collector Paula; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel with Pastor Gary Griffin officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Crosslines of Springfield, 1710 E. Chestnut Expy., Springfield, MO, 65802 or Southwest Missouri Humane Society, 3161 W. Norton Rd., Springfield, MO, 65803.