Full Obituary

FRANKLIN J. WALTER, age 89, of Loyal, died on Friday, December 27, 2013 at Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital, in Marshfield. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Thursday, January 2, 2014 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Loyal. Rev. Steve Brice will officiate and 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, January 1, 2013 from 5pm to 8pm, with a 7:30pm rosary service, and again at the church, on Thursday, from 10am until time of service.
Franklin John Walter was born on the family farm in the Town of York, rural Loyal, on August 8, 1924, the son of Joseph and Margaret (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, in 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 Farmer's Organization. Franklin was the 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 was self-taught, woodworking, playing sheephead and cribbage, and riding his bicycle around Loyal.
Franklin will be dearly missed by his wife, Marie, of Loyal; 5 children: Dave of Kent, WA, Mary of Oshkosh, Jerry (Barb Zorzin) of Circle Pines, MN, Ken (Gaylan) of Annapolis, MD, Judy (Jim) Ihli of Mound, MN; 10 grandchildren: Beth (R.J.) Arnold, Susan (Peter) Walter-Smith, Jeannie (Aaron) Symicek, Katie Masephol, Brenda (Tony) Davis, Greg Walter (fiance Charlotte Hermanto), Justin (Gayle) Lemmon, Lacey Lemmon, Tyler Ihli, Lynsey Ihli; 5 great- grandchildren: Riley, Samantha, Hudson, Alexandra and Beckett; one brother: John (Kay) Walter of Almond; 5 sisters: Margaret Krebs of West Bend, Dorothy Weyer of Loyal, Ann (Jack) Wiczniski of West Bend, Theresa (Jerry) Lentz of Muskego, Clara (Ray) Scharf of Conover; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters: Mary Weyer and Eleanor Berge; and a daughter-in-law: Carol Walter.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to St. Anthony School in Franklin's name.