Marian L. Walter, 90 of Beaver Dam, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Beaver Dam Community Hospital surrounded by her family.
Marian was born November 29, 1922 in Elgin, IL, the daughter of William and Marie (nee Witthun) Beisner. She attended Plato Center schools near Elgin, IL. On October 6, 1945 she married Donald H. Walter at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL. Together they had four children: Donna, Susan, David and Roger.
Marian and her husband farmed outside of Beaver Dam in the town of Calamus since 1958. She worked along Donald’s side in the barn and doing field work. The only thing on the farm Marian wasn’t allowed to do was cultivate corn. Marian also worked outside the home. Looking at Marian’s life is like looking at a piece of history in Beaver Dam. One of her jobs years ago was a cook at the old Jo-Lee Frost Top drive-in on Madison Street in Beaver Dam. Another was housekeeping in historic Hotel Rogers downtown Beaver Dam. Marian was an employee of the original WalMart store in house wares and later as a people greeter until her retirement in Nov. 1998. Marian and Donald attended many polka dances in Wisconsin and Illinois making lifelong friendships. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, trying new recipes and animals of all kinds, especially cats. She was a member of Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam.
Grandma Great, as she was called by her great grandchildren, loved her family dearly and treasured all of the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marian is survived by her children, Donna (Greg) Miller of Cambria, Susan (Jerry) Heuer of Fox Lake, Roger (Leslie) Walter of Beaver Dam, and daughter-in-law Ann Walter of Beaver Dam. Ten grandchildren, Travis (Kerri) Miller, Scott (special friend Sarah) Miller, Christopher (Tina) Miller, Matthew Miller; Erin (Ryan) Mayrand, Ryan (JoAnne) Callies; Dave Walter Jr, Jenni (Jeff Keel) Walter; Andrea (Josh) Meyer, Vicki (Nate) Born; two step grandchildren, Sarah (Jeff Priewe) Diels, Ryan (Beth Hovland) Heuer; 16 great-grandchildren, Tanner & Brianna Miller; Elizabeth & Emelly Miller; Colby Miller; Olivia & Aidan Mayrand; Braxton, Kasyn & Drake Callies; Tori & Alison Walter; Jaeden & Bentley Born; Landon & Baby Meyer due in March 2014, also four step great-grandchildren Gillian and Hailey Diels, Matthew Hovland and Michael Keel. She is further survived by one brother-in-law and four sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Donald, in 1999; son David Sr. in Sept. 2013; brother Louis Beisner and sister Dorothea Volkening and many other brothers and sisters-in-law.
Visitation for Marian will take place Saturday, November 16, 2013, at St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 300 West St., Beaver Dam WI, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 16, 2013, at Noon at the church with Pastor Phillip Heyer officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. A luncheon will be served at the church following the burial.
The family would like to thank the staff at Eagle’s Wings, Beaver Dam Community Hospital and Hillside Manor for all the loving care given, Pastor Heyer of St. Stephen’s and Todd Michael of Cornerstone Funeral Home.
Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family. Send private online condolences or sign the family’s guest book at www.cstonefs.com.
Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services – Beaver Dam, WI
