Walter Waldorf

WALTER “Wally” WILLIAM WALDORF November 13, 1928 – March 28, 2017                   Walter “Wally” William Waldorf, age 88, a lifelong Park Rapids area resident, peacefully entered eternity in the early morning hours of March 28th, 2017, surrounded by his loved ones at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids.                 Wally was born on November 13, 1928 to Peter and Anna Waldorf at their farm in Two Inlets, MN.  As a boy he attended the Two Inlets Country School and helped work his parent’s farm and cut timber in the winter months.  At the age of 17, Wally ventured to North Dakota where he worked on farms and ranches.  Later he travelled to Southern MN and South Dakota where he continued working in production agriculture.  On March 31, 1951, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Jean Cheney at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets.  This union was blessed with one son, Kim.  On April 3, 1951, just three days after marrying his young bride, Wally entered the United States Army where he proudly served his country in Japan during the Korean War.  Wally received the rank of corporal and was placed in charge of the Military Motor Pool where he supervised 500 Japanese civilians in the repair and maintenance of military jeeps and trucks.  Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Wally returned to his young wife in Park Rapids.  He joined the Plumber and Pipe fitters union and began a 40 year career travelling the region as a commercial plumber.  In 1961, Wally became a charter member of the Local 126 Plumbers & Pipefitters Union in Park Rapids, where he served as President for nine years and as a member of the Executive Board for many years.  In 1967, Wally purchased a tract of hunting land in Lake Hattie Township north of Park Rapids with several hunting buddies.  Throughout the years he enjoyed hunting, building trails through the forest lands and just communing with nature on this property.  In 1975, Wally underwent the heartache and grief of losing his wife, Bonnie.  On October 3, 1975, Wally’s life was made complete in his marriage to Joy Tieden.  The couple have made their home in Park Rapids ever since.  With Joy at his side, Wally loved hosting Sunday Barbeques, nurturing his vegetable garden into fruitful abundance to share with his family and friends, hunting grouse and working with wood crafting all kinds of useful and attractive projects.  He would spend many hours working in his garage on all types of machines that were in various stages of disrepair and were brought to him by neighbors and friends who knew his skills and talents in fixing just about anything.  Above all, Wally loved his wife, children and grandchildren with all his heart.                 He will be lovingly remembered by his precious wife, Joy and his son, Kim (Roxie) all of Park Rapids; four step-daughters: Julie (Rod) George of Park Rapids, Karen (Tim) Vinar of Lakeville, MN, Nancy (Clay) Moorhead of Mason, Ohio and Melissa (Lowell) Koebernick of Menahga; 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; his sister, Loretta Hopkins of Lakewood, CO; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.                 Wally was preceded in death by his parents, lst wife, Bonnie; six brothers and five sisters.                 Funeral services will be held 11 AM Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids.  Active casket bearers will be his grandsons.  Honorary casket bearers will be his grand daughters and friends: Keith Gulbranson, Dean Klicker and Donald Cheney.  The Star Of The North Marine Corps League will provide military honors.  Interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery of Park Rapids.  To leave online condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com