Searls, Walter "Walt" Howard 1915-2009

SEARLS, CHRISTENSON, SCHREIBER

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/15/2013 at 10:37:27

Walt Searls

Date of Death
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Akron, Iowa

Walt Searls, 94, of Akron, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at the Akron Care Center in Akron.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 16, 2009 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akron. Monsignor Richard Zenk will celebrate. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Akron. Visitation will be after 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2009, with the family present after 6:00 p.m., and a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home – Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.carlsenfuneralhome.com .

Walter Howard Searls was born May 18, 1915 on the family farm near Akron, Iowa, the son of Howard and Kristine “Mamme” (Christenson) Searls. He attended Searls Country School near Akron, Iowa. Following his schooling, he helped his family on the farm. He then went to work as a machinist and welder for John Peters and later Otto Osterbuhr in Akron.

While attending a dance in Sioux City, he met his future wife, Peggy Schreiber. They were united in marriage on May 26, 1951 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

In 1953, Walt started Searl’s Repair and Machine Shop in Akron. Welding was Walt’s life, crafting and designing many tools and equipment for the shop and for customers that are still used today. He remained influential in the business until his health began to fail in 2005.
Walt was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akron. He was a lifetime member of the National, Iowa, and South Dakota Blacksmith and Welders Associations. He received the National Blacksmith of the Year Award in 1994. He also received the same award for the State of Iowa. Walt enjoyed attending “Threshing Bees” and antique tractor shows. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife of over 58 years, Peggy of Akron; a son: Ed Searls of Akron; 5 grandchildren: Gabe Searls of Akron, Amanda Miller and her husband Steve of Pierre, SD, Macrina Searls and her special friend, Sam Waterbury and their daughter, Isabella of Akron, Emilee Gravenish and her husband Troy, and their daughters, Brooklyn and Emerson of Akron, and Dylan Searls of Akron; 2 brothers: Dan Searls of Akron and William Searls of Sioux City, IA; 2 sisters: Dorothy Siebsen and her husband Robert of Minneapolis, MN, and Lois Willer of Akron; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers: Lloyd, Irwin, and Alvin; 2 sisters: Anita Young and Carolyn Wenzel; and a son: Gerald Searls.

Carlsen Funeral Home
Akron, Iowa