Melinda Rae Balsmeier (née Bendixsen)

Melinda Rae Bendixsen Balsmeier passed away on April 3, 2025, surrounded by her children after a long and hard-fought battle with a rare form of appendix cancer. She is leaving an immense hole and will be missed greatly by her family, friends, and all who knew her.

Born: Oct 14, 1978, Blackfoot, Idaho

Died: April 3, 2025, Idaho Falls, Idaho

She was born and raised in Blackfoot, Idaho, graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1997, and went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in chemistry from Utah State University in 2002. She continued her education at Idaho State University earning a Master’s Degree to become a Physician Assistant in 2004. She worked in various fields over the years ending her career in pediatric urgent care at Just 4 Kids in Idaho Falls, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

She married her husband and best friend, Aaron Lee Balsmeier, on September 5, 2003, in the Bountiful Utah Temple. During their marriage, they lived in Alexandria, Virginia; Sanmen, China; and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Melinda had four children whom she loved dearly with her husband. Melinda had many interests and hobbies, including baking fantastically artistic cakes, riding bikes, cross-country skiing, and scuba diving.

Melinda is survived by her devoted husband of 21 ½ years and their four beautiful children; Jackson (18), Abigail (16), Anderson (13), and Lincoln (9); her parents, Lee and Virginia Bendixsen of Blackfoot, ID; second parents, Gene and Debra Balsmeier of Blackfoot, ID; siblings, Debbie (Dale) Cunningham of Blackfoot, ID, Cindy (Andy) Garrity of Idaho Falls, ID, Becky (Tony) Leakehe of Tooele, UT, Lori (Marcus) Adams of Blackfoot, ID, and Byron (Julie) Bendixsen of West Jordan, UT; and brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, and many devoted and loving nieces and nephews who adored their Aunt Melinda.

She is preceded in death by both sets of her grandparents, Paul and Betty Penman of Salt Lake, UT, and Floyd and Clara Bendixsen of Blackfoot, ID.

Special thanks to the members of the Shadow Mountain Ward, her parents, in-laws, siblings, her coworkers and countless friends who faithfully served her and her family with meals, kindness, phone calls, helping with laundry and housework until the end. You all became her hands and feet, serving as the Savior would and giving so charitably. Thanks, you to the many hands, willing smiles and service hours of the local hospital staff, in home care providers, and the staff of Teton Cancer Institute. Your compassion is priceless and will always be remembered.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Shadow Mountain Ward, 3721 Shadow Mountain Trail. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior at the church.

Please consider donating to fund Appendix Cancer research through https://acpmp.org/

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.