Walter T. "Tede" Lorimor was born on December 19, 1922 on the family farm in Fremont County, Iowa; the son of Walter T. and Grace Adeline (Scott) Lorimor. Tede entered into eternal peace on Monday, February 9, 2009 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Tede spent his early years on the family farm. He was active in 4-H, where he raised ivestock. He attended school and graduated from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1941. He later attended Iowa State University for a semester, before having to return home to help his father manage the family farm, while his brothers were called to active duty with the military. Due to a farm accident, which resulted in an injury to his hip when Tede was 15 years old, he was ineligible to serve his country. Tede was a hard worker and earned the title of "Outstanding Young Farmer of The Year" in 1945.
On June 30, 1946 he was united in marriage to his best friend, Mary Jaynie Carroll in the Shenandoah United Methodist Church. Following their marriage the couple resided in a farmhouse, just a mile from Tede's parents. It was there that Tede continued his career as a farmer and the couple raised their two sons; Michael and Gregory. In 1964 the family was awarded the WOWT-TV, " Farm Family of the Week."
Tede was very active in the community. He was a member of the Farragut United Methodist Church, where he served as President of the Administrative Board, was Past President of the Fremont County Farm Bureau, past member and served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Federal Land Bank, served as Worshipful Master for the Farragut Masonic Lodge (and was a 50 year member) and was a member of the Elks Club.
Tede enjoyed the outdoors and always looked forward to the families annual fishing trip to Minnesota. As a result of a Father's Day gift of golf clubs, Tede began to play the game of golf. He enjoyed playing in the men's league, at various tournaments and at different courses that their travels would take them. Tede and Jaynie also enjoyed spending the winter months in New Braunfels, TX and later in Tucson, Arizona. Tede and Jaynie were blessed with over 62 years of marriage.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Fred, Scott, Bob and Bert; sisters Mary Redd and Margaret Ball and granddaughters Dawn Carroll Michelle Lorimor and Katie Suzanne Lorimor.
Those left to honor his memory include his devoted wife Jaynie, sons Michael F. Lorimor and wife Diane of Lincoln, NE and Gregory L. Lorimor and wife Jody of Tulsa, OK; grandsons Kevin Lorimor and wife Kathy of Phoenix, AZ, Kasey Lorimor of Glenwood, IA and Scott Lorimor of Tulsa, OK; granddaughters Sara Sparks and Stacy Lytle and husband Joe both of Tulsa, OK; step-grandson Rob Roberts and fianc Janine of Frederick, CO; 6 great-granddaughters; 3 great-grandsons, and a sister Shirley Schaaf and husband Stan of Randolph, IA; sister-in-law Marie Lorimor of Shenandoah, IA; brother-in-law Don Carroll of Rock Port, MO; many nieces, nephews, other family and a host of friends.
Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Farragut with Rev. Fred Bryson officiating. Offering special remembrances of their uncle were Steve and Randy Lorimor. Attending to the memorial register was Zoe Young, Judy Heggen and Mary Beth Haigh. Serving as ushers were Don Bateman, Kirk Shearer and Bill Selby. Caring for flowers were Tede's nieces Susan Meltzer, Sherri Barnes, Debbie Grandos, Barbara Snyder, Becky Lorimor, Mary Margaret Schaaf and Anne Marie Schaaf. Special music for the service was provided by Becky Hoeshel and Dr. Charles Peterson. Dr. Peterson sang "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art" followed by the congregational hymn of "Pass It On". Serving as casket bearers were Tede's nephews VADM J. Scott Redd, Steve Lorimor, Randy Lorimor, Stan Schaaf, John Lorimor, David Schaaf and Brent Lorimor. Honorary casket bearers included John Thomas, D.B. Mullins, Tom Broderson, Jim Howard, Howard Young, Bill Hillman, Dick Hunt and Fred Dreyer. Burial followed in the Farragut Cemetery. The United Methodist Women served the lunch.