Harold E. (Walt) Walter (1925-2005)

WALTER, RICHARD, RASMUSSON, SMITH, KRUSENTSJERNA, STAMPER, JANSSEN

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 10/6/2005 at 08:02:02

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, October 5, 2005.

Harold E. (Walt) Walter, 80 of Nevada died Sunday, Oct. 2, of cancer at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Central Presbyterian Church in Nevada with the Rev. Steve Williams officiating. Burial will be in Nevada Municipal Cemetery.

Walt was born to the Rev. Ernest R. and Frieda C. (Richard) Walter on July 3, 1925, in Streator, Ill. His father served the Evangelical United Brethren Church as pastor in Bolan, Lansing, LaVerne, Afton and Nevada. Walt graduated from Afton High School in 1942. He graduated with honors from Westmar College in 1950 majoring in economics and natural science. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater as a cryptologist for the U.S. Army Air Corps. After college, he was called to state-side service in the Korean Conflict. He married Florence Rasmusson June 21, 1953, in Manson, and soon became an integral member of his extended family. He worked for 10 years as Story County auditor and for 26 years as assistant to the dean of extension at Iowa State University. He was a dedicated and innovative worker who enjoyed challenges.

His greatest joy was being with family. He was a devoted father who taught his sons reverence for nature through camping and fishing trips and innumerable family outings. He was humble, generous and quick of wit. All who knew him were impressed with his easy nature and sense of humor. While a member of the Toastmasters, he won second place for humorous speaking.

He enjoyed trying new things. His many hobbies included computer programming, golf, bridge, pitch, cribbage, photography, woodworking, camping and fishing. He loved his annual trips to Ontario, Canada, with three cherished fishing buddies. In recent years, the Canada trips have been made with family. He traveled widely, visiting all 50 states and most Canadian provinces. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Nevada, where he served as church treasurer for many years. He was also a member of the Lions Club, the Toastmasters, Indian Creek Country Club and was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Florence Walter, of Nevada; three sons, Thomas and Brenda Walter of Chesterfield, Mo., David and Alyson Walter of Topeka, Kan., and John of Cedar Rapids; three grandsons, John, Matthew, and Christian Walter; one sister, Ruth Smith of Prairie Du Chien, Wis.; brother-in-law, Charles Krusentsjerna of Rochester, N.Y.; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Dorothy Stamper of Gilmore City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Frieda Walter; his mother-in-law, Mary Rasmusson; brother-in-law, Dale Smith; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gottlieb and Lucille Janssen; and sister-in-law, Mary Krusentsjerna.

Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada.

A memorial fund has been established in his name for First United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada is in charge of arrangements.

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