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Nadine Mary Balchinas

 Nadine Mary Balchinas, of Sonoma, died peacefully Jan. 19, 2013, at Sonoma Valley Hospital.

  Nadine was born Sept. 9, 1932, in Fond du Lac, Wisc., and was the oldest of four children. She grew up in Fond du Lac and attended Illinois Wesleyan University. She moved to Colorado and then to the Bay Area in 1964. She has been a resident of Sonoma since 1977.

  Nadine was a very generous, kind and thoughtful woman and she will be truly missed by her friends and family. She was an avid bridge player and absolutely loved football. You always knew where to find her in the fall and winter months.

  She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bruno (Bal) Balchinas, of Sonoma; and her parents, Nathan and Laura Schmidt, of Fond du Lac, Wisc.

  She is survived by her daughters, Lizabeth Krieg, of Sonoma; and Joan Freeman, of Milpitas; her son, Matthew Bostwick, of Sonoma; her stepson, Peter Balchinas, and his wonderful wife, Kim, of Sonoma. She has four grandchildren, Laura Griffin, of Sonoma, Ryan Freeman, of St. Louis, Mo., and Marisa and Samuel Balchinas, of Sonoma; as well as a great-grandson, Brandon Griffin and another great-grandson due Feb. 28, named Nathan Freeman.

  She is also survived by her brother David Schmidt (Janet), of Fond du Lac, Wisc.; and two sisters, Beverly Howard (Ty) and Joan Hitt, both from Denver, Colo.; and her beloved goddaughter and niece, Karen Arute (Dave) of Redwood Shores; and many other nieces and nephews.

  A memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. at Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Afterward, will be a celebration of life at 704 Second St. E.  A private interment will be on Monday, Feb. 4, at Mountain Cemetery in Sonoma.

   Donations in Nadine’s name may be made to FISH, P.O. Box 507, Sonoma, CA 95476.

  Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel.