Walter E. Christian, age 88, of West Bend, passed away Friday, October 29, 2010 at Samaritan Health Center in West Bend.
He was born on December 18, 1921 in Mayville to the late Henry and Clara (nee Pflugh) Christian. On August 14, 1948, Walter was united in marriage to Dorothy Wild in Chicago, IL. She preceded him in death on September 21, 2009
Walter served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II where he was stationed in Africa, Italy, France and Germany. He went on to work as a welder for Maysteel Company in Mayville. Walter loved traveling the world. He was a kind and gentle man who loved animals.
He is survived by four children, June (Richard) Young of St. Louis, MO, Jean (Donald) Penkoske of Kewaskum, Gayle Christian of Menomonie, WI and Alan (Betty) Christian of Lake Tomahawk, WI; five grandchildren, Pamela (Troy) Capp, Candace Oberholtzer, Jennifer (Scott) Schepp, Emily Christian and Ariel Christian; seven great-grandchildren, Vanessa Sharp, A.J. Sharp, Nicholas Capp, Kyra Oberholtzer, Brett Oberholtzer, Kaleb Schepp and Talan Schepp; one sister, Edna Hadaller of Watertown; other relatives and friends.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; grandsons, Lance Penkoske and Nathan Christian; brother, Omer Christian; and sister, Amelda Rassmann
Funeral services in remembrance of Walter will be held on Thursday, November 4th at 12:00 pm at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend with Rev. Bill Dushek officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial in Washington County Memorial Park will follow.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the 4th floor nursing staff of Samaritan Health Center for their kind words and gentle care they gave Walter during his three years there. They were like family.