Obit: Walter, Franklin J. (1924 - 2013)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Walter, Hauser, Weis, Zorzin, Ihli, Davis, Hermanto, Symicek, Lemmon, Krebs, Weyer, Wisczinski, Scharf, Berge

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 01 Jan 2014

Walter, Franklin J. (8 AUG 1924 - 27 DEC 2013)

Franklin J. Walter, 89, Loyal, died on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, Jan. 2, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Loyal. Rev. Steve Brice will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tyler Ihli, Lynsey Ihli, Jim Ihli, Katie Masephol, Susan Walter-Smith, Peter Smith, Beth Arnold, R.J. Arnold, Greg Walter, Brenda Davis, Tony Davis and Parker Leffel. Visitation will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church on Wednesday, Jan. 1, from 5-8 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. rosary service, and again at the church, on Thursday, from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Franklin John Walter was born on Aug. 8, 1924, on the family farm in the town of York, rural Loyal, the son of Joseph and Margaret (nee Hauser) Walter. He was raised on the farm and received his education at St. Anthony Parochial School and the Ross School. After completing his education, Franklin worked on the family farm until his marriage to Marie C. Weis on June 12, 1952, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Rozellville. In January 1953, they took over the operation of his family farm, which they ran until 1979. They moved into Loyal in 1988. Franklin went back to school and attended Mid-State Technical College for small engine repair. He did small engine repair, worked at Figi's seasonally, and worked at the Thomas Apartments doing general maintenance work until retiring completely. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and a former member of the National Farmers Organization. Franklin was a town of York supervisor for many years, and was very much involved with farming issues, many times writing to the state legislature about his concerns. He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family, playing the accordion (which he taught himself to play), woodworking, playing sheepshead and cribbage, and riding his bicycle around Loyal.

Franklin will be dearly missed by his wife, Marie, Loyal; five children, Dave Walter, Kent, Wash., Mary Walter, Oshkosh, Jerry (Barb Zorzin) Walter, Circle Pines, Minn., Ken (Gaylan) Walter, Annapolis, Md., and Judy (Jim) Ihli, Mound, Minn.; 10 grandchildren, Beth (R.J.) Arnold, Susan (Peter) Walter-Smith, Jeannie (Aaron) Symicek, Katie Masephol, Brenda (Tony) Davis, Greg (fiancé Charlotte Hermanto) Walter, Justin (Gayle) Lemmon, Lacey Lemmon, Tyler Ihli and Lynsey Ihli; five great-grandchildren, Riley, Samantha, Hudson, Alexandra and Beckett; one brother, John (Kay) Walter, Almond; five sisters, Margaret Krebs, West Bend, Dorothy Weyer, Loyal, Ann (Jack) Wiczniski, West Bend, Theresa (Jerry) Lentz, Muskego, and Clara (Ray) Scharf, Conover; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mary Weyer and Eleanor Berge; and a daughter-in-law, Carol.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.