Linge, Walter (1912-2002)
LINGE, HARJES, FRICKE, BROWN, HOLLAND, RIZZO, TRAVIS, MILLS
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 6/4/2010 at 22:48:12
Walter Linge - May 26, 1912 - Feb. 13, 2002
Monday, February 18, 2002
Walter John Linge, 89, of Storm Lake, was born May 26, 1912, in Storm Lake, and died February 13, 2002, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.
His parents were John George Linge and Anna (Harjes) Linge. He was baptized on June 23, 1912, in the old wooden St. John Lutheran Church by Reverend Lochner. He was confirmed in 1926 by Reverend John Hartmeister. Walter graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1931 and attended Buena Vista College.
In 1934 he managed a Shell Oil station at Lake Avenue and 7th Streets in Storm Lake. Several years later he switched to the Mobil Oil Company and a new station was built on that same location. In 1939 he became a partner with Kenneth Wilson as jobbers for the Mobil Oil Company.
On June 22, 1941, Walter married Esther Martha Fricke of Pomeroy. He entered the Armed Forces on November 13, 1942. After basic training in Kerns, Utah, he entered the Aeronautical School in Kansas City, MO. Six months later he was sent to the South Pacific where he served as Supply Sergeant for the 13th Army Air Force during World War II. On December 29, 1945, he received an Honorable Discharge and returned to his hometown.
He returned to his work with the Mobile Oil Company as a Marketing Manager for the Omaha district. In 1959 he earned the Salesman of the Year Award from Mobile Oil and enjoyed a trip to New York City. After 30 years of service with Mobile Oil, he retired and worked part-time as a salesman at Douglass Clothing with his life-long buddy Gilbert Douglass.
Walter served in various positions in both the Junior and Senior Chamber of Commerce and was Chairman of the Special Events Committee for the Storm Lake Centennial. Walter was a life-long member of St. John Lutheran Church where he faithfully served on the Evangelism Committee, and over the years, he served as Trustee, Elder, Chairman of the congregation, and Chairman of the Building committee for the new church. Walter was also a member of the Lutheran Layman's League, which supports the Lutheran Hour Radio Ministries. Walter was a great promoter for his church and for Storm Lake.
He enjoyed woodworking until he suffered a stroke in 1995. He considered his stroke a blessing because it gave him time to "stop and smell the roses." He enjoyed his electric scooter that took him riding through the parks, out to Lakeside, and around the Storm Lake business district where he kept in touch with friends both old and new.
Walter collected many memories over the years and shared them with others by writing newspaper articles.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Alma Brown and Florence Holland and their husbands; one nephew, Lemar Brown; and a great-nephew, Steven Brown.
Walter leaves to mourn, his wife Esther; sons John and his wife Patti Linge of Lemont, IL., and Gordon and his wife Jill Linge of River Ridge, LA.; two granddaughters, Erica and Megan Linge; two grandsons, Brighton and David Linge; three step-grandsons, Phil and wife Wendy Rizzo, Tony and wife Antonia Rizzo, and Jonathan Rizzo. Also surviving are step-great-grandchildren, Alex, Natalie, and Tony Rizzo; one brother-in-law, Virgil Travis; two sisters-in-law, Bea Fricke and Cathy Mills; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Walter J. Linge will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 16, 2002, at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake with Pastor Douglas Haynes officiating.
Burial will be in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery, Storm Lake.
© Copyright 2002, Storm Lake Pilot Tribune
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Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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