Josh "Cowboy" Balk

Obituary:

Cowboy Balk, 51 of rural Stanley, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 3rd, 2026 from his fight with cancer. Joshua D. “Cowboy” Balk was born on May 10, 1975 in Mondovi to Loren “Jack” Balk and Rose Rinehart. He grew up attending Gilmanton schools. He married Amanda “Mandy” Girard on September 26, 2008.

Cowboy was a mechanic for 30+ years and in 2012 started C&A auto. He was very community minded being involved with: The Badger State Dirt Flingers, the Cub Scouts, Abate, the Thorp Dairy Days Committee and Mid-State Pullers as well as many other organizations he helped behind the scenes.

Cowboy enjoyed truck and tractor pulling, riding Harley-Davidson, playing dirty clubs, cribbage or euchre or just crusin in the Bel-Air. He enjoyed any music he could sing and dance to especially 80's and 90's country.

He is survived by his wife, Mandy, his son, Landen, his parents, Jack Balk and Rose Rinehart, his siblings, Kristin (Jeff) Molldrem, Jennifer Balk, Jason (Jessica) Balk, Jackson (Kristie) Romanowski, mother in law, Lois Sopiarz, father in law, Dave Girard, his in laws, Kyle (Erin) Girard and Mindy (Seth) Cameron, many nieces and nephews, a large extended family as well as his dogs; Duke and Dixie. He loved his big ol mean pit bulls. Cowboy is preceded in death by his grandparents, his step grandma, 3 uncles and 1 cousin.

A Celebration of Life will take place starting at 1PM on Sunday, July 12th at Reclaimed Tavern-Stanley.