Gerald passed away on Tuesday evening, January 14, 2025 at Homestead in Shenandoah.  Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Westboro, Missouri at 10:30 a.m.  Burial with military honors will follow in the St. John's Cemetery.  The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Tarkio Valley Antique Tractor Club or the St. John's Mobility Worldwide Pet Project.

Gerald Henry Walter, son of Edwin Henry Walter and Hilda Marie (Joesting) Walter was born on May 14, 1932, in Omaha, NE. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Westboro, MO, where he continued membership until death. Gerald attended Maple Grove Country School and La Prairie Country School where he was the 8th grade valedictorian (he was the only one in his class). His freshman year to graduation he attended Shenandoah Community School, graduating with the class of 1950. In 1950, Shenandoah had their first baseball team where he was the first shortstop, which he was very proud of.

Gerald's love of animals began when he was very young. Raising rabbits, helping with the chickens and helping his dad with cattle and pig chores. He became interested in 4-H and raising and showing purebred Poland China and then as he got older Hampshire pigs and Hereford and Shorthorn cattle. He took his projects to Page County Fair and the Iowa State Fair.

After graduation, Gerald farmed with his dad and Uncle Bill. He was planning on building his breeding stock of purebred pigs, when Uncle Sam called him to Korea in 1952, but his corn crop wasn't harvested so his draft was delayed until January 1953. He was assigned to Company F of the 160th Regiment, the 40th Infantry Division. After guarding POWs for two weeks on Geoje-do Island he was shipped to Korea behind the front lines. Fortunately, the truce was signed July 27th, 1953. The troops were not told until the next morning. He talked often about his experiences in Korea and his time on Bloody Ridge and Kumhwa Valley on DMZ. He was honorably discharged in January 1955 where he received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service Star and United
Nations Service Medal.

He met Dorothy Marie Anderson during a mixer dance at the United Methodist Church in Shenandoah. They were united in marriage on February 5, 1956, at Fremont Covenant Church in rural Essex. To this union they were blessed with two children: Janette Faye and Gary Edwin. He continued farming and raising cattle and pigs. However, his love of pigs surpassed cattle. The last pig he ever raised was consumed at their 65th wedding anniversary celebration enjoyed by many. He continued farming with his son Gary and grandson Jeremy until the age of 89. He continued to help manage the farm with his advice and wisdom until his death.

His love of baseball continued as an adult where he played slow pitch softball for Northboro and the St. John's Church league. He enjoyed playing ping pong and was a member of the Missouri Iowa Ping Pong Association. Gerald enjoyed camping and fishing with his seven grandkids and dear friends, driving his antique tractors in parades with his grandsons and the Tarkio Valley Antique Tractor Association. His
most favorite activity was following his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities until his health declined.

Gerald had a strong faith in God and worked fervently during the week so he could worship on Sundays. He loved life and always had a story or joke to tell. He didn't know a stranger. He was proud of his service to his country and made sure his children and grandchildren knew about his experiences during the war. Gerald was a 50-year member of the Shenandoah Legion Post 88. Served his church as a council
member at St. John's Lutheran Church. Was an active member of the Tarkio Valley Antique Tractor Association and helped with the Washington Township 4-H club in Page County in the 70's and 80's.

He loved his family to the fullest. He always made sure Dorothy had flowers on their anniversary and her birthday. He was so proud of his grandkids and loved spending time with them. He treasured camping trips, fishing and creating puzzles for the Christmas gifts, he was giving. A scolding from Grandpa was way worse than a spanking, which Gerald received lots of growing up. He loved scarring visitors and
grandkids with his rubber snakes, rats and mice and the grandkids and great-grandkids loved scarring him back. He is a legacy to our family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Harold Anderson, Alfred Anderson, and Hawley Schaaf; sisters-in-law Shirley Anderson and Sandy Anderson.  Left to cherish his memory, his wife Dorothy of 69 years; daughter Janette Lundgren (Dwayne) of rural
Essex; son Gary Walter (Mary Kay) of rural Farragut. seven grandchildren and eighteen great- grandchildren: Stacy (Derek) Reinsch - Peighton, Rhett and Treyson of Geneva, NE; Allison (Kyle) Shipley - Hunter, Easton, Addison, and new arrival in June of Nodaway, IA; Cindy (Kyle) Kabela - Kaden, Landon, Ada of West Branch, IA; Heather (Thomas) Ryan - CJ and Mallory of rural Northboro, IA; Jeremy (Kayla)
Walter - Hudson, Joleigh, Natalie, and Wade of rural Farragut, IA; Adam (Alaina) Lundgren - Witten and Jett of Corning, IA; Matthew Lundgren of rural Essex; and sister Norma Schaaf of Sidney, IA; other family and a host of friends.

This is my story and I'm sticking to it!