Irven Henry Walter 1925 - 2014
WALTER LIERMAN BETKE
Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/26/2014 at 20:27:31
Sioux City Journal
14 April 2014MAPLETON, Iowa | Irven. H. Walter, 88, a longtime business, church and civic leader, a devoted steward to his community of Mapleton, died Friday, April 11, 2014. He went to his Lord in the loving care of his family at his home in Mapleton, following his death from cancer.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton, with the Rev. Scott Jensen officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Mapleton, with military graveside honors provided by the American Legion Loren Hollister Post 496. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. Tuesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton.
Irven Henry Walter was a twin son born July 7, 1925, in Chambers, Neb., to John William and Matilda (Lierman) Walter. Irven grew up in Chambers and after graduating from high school, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After training at the Great Lakes Naval Radio School in Madison, Wis., he was transferred to the U.S.S. Feland, an attack transport which won five battle stars during her service in the Pacific War.
After his service in World War II, Irven enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a degree in business. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Lois Betke, on a blind date.
Irv and Lois were united in marriage in 1947, on her birthday, Dec. 28, in Ravenna, Neb. The couple then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Irven enrolled in the Cleveland College of Mortuary Science. Upon his graduation, the couple returned to Omaha, Neb., where Irven began his life’s work as a funeral director. Their first son, John, was born while in Omaha.
In 1950, the family moved to Mapleton, Iowa, where Irv purchased an interest in the Byers-Walter Funeral Home. After a time, the business became Walter Funeral Homes in Mapleton, expanding to facilities in Ute, Danbury and Anthon.
The Walters retired and sold their business to Grant Armstrong Jr. in 1991, known then as Walter-Armstrong Funeral Home. Irv was a mentor to multiple young funeral directors as they served their apprenticeship after college and went on to lifetime careers in the business as well. He was a 50-year member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association.
For 27 years, he also operated a 24-hour ambulance service for the area. In the late 70’s, Irv donated ambulances to both Anthon and Danbury as each community developed its own service.
Irven was a faithful member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Mapleton, where he served as an elder, member of the church choir, and officer on numerous committees.
Irven was instrumental in the growth of the communities he served as a volunteer and a generous benefactor. He pioneered in the development and building of Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, and served as president of the Maple Heights Board. He was one of six community leaders in the founding of the Mapleton Improvement Corporation and a longtime member of the Mapleton Rotary Club. He was also deeply involved in the fundraising resulting in the Ganzhorn Health Services Clinic.
One labor of love was Irv’s involvement in the community’s award-winning Tree City USA project. The group was responsible for planting some 1,500 trees, enhancing Mapleton’s finest features. Following the horrific loss of so many of Mapleton’s beautiful trees in the tornado of 2011, Irv once again rallied with others in replanting for the benefit of future generations.
As a veteran and a member of the American Legion Loren Hollister Post 496, Irv volunteered with others in initiating the Avenue of Flags, a patriotic display of more than 200 American flags that fly over the cemetery each year honoring our veterans.
When time allowed or Thursday afternoon came around, Irv could be found enjoying time playing a round of golf at Willow Vale. He also was a strong supporter of the "Big Red," and shared his love of the Nebraska Corn Huskers through frequent trips to football games with his family group, "The Big Red Boys."
Family members left to embrace their loving memories of Irven include his four children, John Walter and his wife, Sandy, of Ankeny, Iowa, Pamela Paulsrud of Wilmette, Ill., Peggy Jacobson and her husband, Sheldon of Mapleton, Iowa, and Kirk Walter and his wife, Wendy of Sonoma, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Natalie Walter (Spencer Springer), Nathan (Stephanie) Walter, Cori (Sean) O’Connell, Lindsey (Pete) Pennecke, Jamie Jacobson, Julie (Corey Joy) Wenger, Ryan (Candace) Jacobson, and Iris Walter; 12 great-grandchildren, Zoe, Neena, Hailey, Breonia, Ashton, Jeff, Olivia, Brynn, Anaya, Lily, Makenzie, and Maverick; his twin brother, Iven Walter and his wife Jackie, of Hoisington, Kan.; and a sister-in-law, Donna Walter of Sun City, Ariz.
Along with the death of his beloved wife, Lois, Irven was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Arthur Paulsrud; four brothers, Gerald in infancy, Lyle Walter and his wife, Vera, Floyd Walter and his wife, Jerry, and the Rev. Norman Walter; and one sister, LaVerne Brion and her husband, Richard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rebuild and Recovery of Mapleton or Hospice of Siouxland.
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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