Iris Elaine Balch was born on August 12, 1939, in Beaver, Oklahoma, to Charles Wayne Custer and Georgia Ellen Tilton Custer. She passed away on May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 86. Elaine grew up on a farm in Logan, Oklahoma, where she attended school and graduated from Darrouzett High School in Darrouzett, Texas. On November 24, 1956, she married the love of her life, Frank Lee Balch, in Beaver County, Oklahoma. Frank preceded her in death on September 30, 2009. Elaine devoted her life to her family and found great joy in caring for those she loved. She especially enjoyed quilting, sewing, cooking, and reading. Her kindness, generosity, and love for her family will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her children, Pamela Catt and husband Bud of Fairland, Oklahoma; Debbie Thowe and husband Merle of Loveland, Colorado; and Glenn Balch and wife Terry Bach of Hydro, Oklahoma; her grandchildren, Kerri Glancy, Michael Glancy, Logan Gemaehlich, Chelsea Thowe and husband Frederick Frank of Loveland, CO, Emilee Thowe of Loveland, CO, Kimmer Dougherty of Yukon, OK, Heather Koskie and husband Keith of Columbia, MD, and Frank McClain Balch and wife Charity of Moore, OK; seven great-grandchildren, Jocelyn, Stone, Tilton, Reagan, Liam, Kellen, and Fiona; her sisters, Norma Laurie of Booker, Texas, and Linda Ray of Kingwood, Texas; along with many other relatives and friends.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Georgia Custer, and her husband, Frank Lee Balch.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made in Elaine’s name to: Hydro First Responders, 109 W 5th ST, Hydro, OK 73048

The family will hold private services at a later date.

Services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, OK, Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or on Facebook at facebook.com/TurnerFuneralHomes.