Obit: Walker, Harry L. (1932 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Boegh, Brandenburg, Cameron, Clark, Corsini, Cunningham, Felmlee, Gentes, Greaves, Hernbrott, Keeton, Koerner, Lucasiewicz, Meicher, Nelson, Robinson, Seidlitz, Steinmeyer, Sturgis, Swoboda, Walker, Wanish

----Source: The Cornell Courier - Sentinel (Cornell, WI) 2/01/2018

Walker, Harry L. (21 JAN 1932 - 26 JAN 2018)

Harry L. Walker, 86, Cadott, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. Harry was born Jan. 21, 1932, in Alpena, S.D., to Jacob and Anna (Koerner) Walker.

He graduated from Alpena High School, class of 1951. He was a celebrated athlete and held many school records for his abilities.

Harry married his high school sweetheart, Donna Lee Brandenburg, June 29, 1952. Just three months after their wedding, Harry was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, during the Korean Conflict.

Following his honorable discharge, Harry and Donna began their family, and together, had three daughters. They moved to Minneapolis, Minn., in 1959, and resided there until moving to Chippewa Falls in 1971.

Harry had a successful ornamental railings business for many years called J & H specialties. Once he sold the business, he continued to work in the steel industry at Phoenix Steel in Eau Claire until his retirement. Donna passed away in 1984.

From the time Harry was a young boy with his first slingshot, he loved to hunt. He loved everything about it, including walking in the woods, building tree stands, training dogs to hunt and inventing ways to make the hunt better. While living in Minnesota, he was the 1964 Minnesota State Champion for instinctive archery.

Harry later married Dianne (Robinson) Swoboda. They resided in Cadott.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was an avid Cubs and Vikings fan, but especially liked to attend and cheer on the Cadott basketball teams, both boys and girls, where he hardly ever missed a game.

He is survived by, and will be dearly missed by, his wife – Dianne; two daughters – Linda (Mark) Nelson, New Auburn, and Vicki Seidlitz (Jack Felmlee), Chippewa Falls; grandchildren – Stephanie (Justin) Steinmeyer, Joel Seidlitz, all of Elk Mound, and Brianna (Joey) Meicher, Eau Claire; great-grandchildren – Morgan and Logan Steinmeyer, and Eleanor Meicher and baby Meicher (due in April); siblings – Viola Keeton, Wessington Springs, S.D., Paul Walker (Richard Corsini), Palm Springs, Calif., Doris (Bill) Greaves, Ogden, Utah, and MaryLou Cameron, Wessington Springs, S.D.; stepchildren – Craig (Marilyn) Swoboda, Chippewa Falls, Dan (Tracy) Swoboda, Fallbrook, Calif., Joe (Leslie) Swoboda, Chippewa Falls, and Lisa (Michael) Hernbrott, Bloomington, Ill.; stepgrandchildren – Stephanie (Tim) Boegh, McFarland, Hayden Swoboda (Cassandra Clark), Eau Claire, Brian Swoboda, Nashville, Tenn., Crystal Swoboda (Steven Lucasiewicz), Omaha, Neb., Rachel Swoboda, Eagan, Minn., Alex (Christi) Swoboda, McFarland, Bryanna Swoboda, Chippewa Falls, Caiti (Kevin) Gentes, Normal, Ill., and Daniel Hernbrott, Bloomington, Ill.; stepgreat-grandchildren – Lainey Boegh, Jameson Swoboda, and Lily and Walker Gentes; special neighbors and caregivers – Carolyn and John Wanish, Cadott; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife – Donna; a daughter – Teri Walker; a brother – Donald Walker; a sister – Esther Cunningham; sister-in-law – Margaret Walker; and brothers-in-law – Don Keeton, Don Cameron and Cecil Cunningham.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, with the Rev. Aaron Sturgis officiating. Military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council took place following the service at the church. Burial will be held at a later date.

Visitation was from 11 a.m., until the time of service at 1 p.m., Tuesday, at the church.
Memorials may be sent to the Cadott High School, Attn: Athletic Director, to support the basketball and archery programs.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services in Chippewa Falls is serving the family.

Online condolences may be expessed at www.pedersonvolker.com.