Jacob Walter
July 19, 1923 ~ December 29, 2010
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Jacob A. Walter, 87, of St. Lawrence, died Wednesday, December 29 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, Janaury 7 at the St. Lawrence Community Church with Pastor John Rasko officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, January 6 from 5:00-7:00 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Rembold Funeral Home in St. Lawrence. Burial will be at the St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Jacob (Jakie, Jake) Andrew Walter, St. Lawrence, South Dakota, was born on Thursday July 19, 1923 to Jacob F. Walter and Sarah (Hofer) Walter on the family farm located 3 miles north and 5 miles west of Freeman South Dakota. The doctor came to the farm for his birth.
At the age of 2, Jacob lost the vision of his left eye after accidentally injuring the eye with a pair of scissors. He never recalled seeing from two eyes, but missed very little going on around him. He rode by horse and buggy to Gross District School No. 54 located 2 miles east of the family farm. He graduated from Freeman High School in 1942. His parents spoke German and would read Bible stories in German to their 11 children on Saturday nights in preparation for their Sunday School Classes at the Salem Mennonite Brethren Church. Since only German was spoken in the home, the older children taught the younger children to speak English, which was spoken at school. Eventually the church too changed to English making the lessons easier. The newspaper and a 32 volt operated radio kept them up to date and entertained the family until 110 volt electricity came around in 1949.
Jacob married BellVaJean (Belva) Rosine Wagner on Sunday afternoon September 28, 1947 in the Freeman Gym. About 200 guests attended a double wedding in which also his sister Phoebe married Belvas twin brother Lavern Wagner. Jacobs brother Edwin was the minister. Jacobs 1941 Ford took the honeymooning couples to Chicago where his sister Anne was the tour guide for them. The couples reunited in celebration of their 25th anniversary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at Walt and Marys restaurant. Jacob and Belva spent their 50th anniversary on an Alaskan Cruise with family.
Remaining to hold dear his memory are his wife Belva, 2 sons, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and four sisters (Emma, Freeman SD; Lydia Curwen of Highland CA; Phoebe and brother in law LaVern, Menno S. D.; and Tobea J. Kuiper, Great Falls, Montana). The oldest son Merle Gene Walter and his wife Jodelene (Jodi) live in Golden Colorado and have three children, (Traci Jo Robinson, Lena Jo Hutchinson, and Wagner Gene Walter). The great grandchildren include Kali and Keegan Grubb, Beau, Belle, & Luke Robinson; and Abby and Aidan Hutchinson. His youngest son Darrell Dennis Walter and his wife Patricia Ann live in San Dimas California and have two children ( Nazare Christiana and Deandre Michael Walter).
He was preceded in death by his parents (Jacob Frank 1976 and Sarah 1980), 4 brothers (Edwin Frank Walter 1997, John Johnny Frank Walter 1989, Ernest Frank Walter 1973, Willie Jacob Walter 1955) and two sisters (Anne Whitmore 1986, and Mary F. Berggren 2007).
Jacob (Jakie, Jake) Andrew Walter, St. Lawrence, South Dakota, was born on Thursday July 19, 1923 to Jacob F. Walter and Sarah (Hofer) Walter on the family farm located 3 miles north and 5 miles west of Freeman South Dakota. The doctor came to the farm for his birth.
At the age of 2, Jacob lost the vision of his left eye after accidentally injuring the eye with a pair of scissors. He never recalled seeing from two eyes, but missed very little going on around him. He rode by horse and buggy to Gross District School No. 54 located 2 miles east of the family farm. He graduated from Freeman High School in 1942. His parents spoke German and would read Bible stories in German to their 11 children on Saturday nights in preparation for their Sunday School Classes at the Salem Mennonite Brethren Church. Since only German was spoken in the home, the older children taught the younger children to speak English, which was spoken at school. Eventually the church too changed to English making the lessons easier. The newspaper and a 32 volt operated radio kept them up to date and entertained the family until 110 volt electricity came around in 1949.
Jacob married BellVaJean (Belva) Rosine Wagner on Sunday afternoon September 28, 1947 in the Freeman Gym. About 200 guests attended a double wedding in which also his sister Phoebe married Belvas twin brother Lavern Wagner. Jacobs brother Edwin was the minister. Jacobs 1941 Ford took the honeymooning couples to Chicago where his sister Anne was the tour guide for them. The couples reunited in celebration of their 25th anniversary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at Walt and Marys restaurant. Jacob and Belva spent their 50th anniversary on an Alaskan Cruise with family.
Remaining to hold dear his memory are his wife Belva, 2 sons, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and four sisters (Emma, Freeman SD; Lydia Curwen of Highland CA; Phoebe and brother in law LaVern, Menno S. D.; and Tobea J. Kuiper, Great Falls, Montana). The oldest son Merle Gene Walter and his wife Jodelene (Jodi) live in Golden Colorado and have three children, (Traci Jo Robinson, Lena Jo Hutchinson, and Wagner Gene Walter). The great grandchildren include Kali and Keegan Grubb, Beau, Belle, & Luke Robinson; and Abby and Aidan Hutchinson. His youngest son Darrell Dennis Walter and his wife Patricia Ann live in San Dimas California and have two children ( Nazare Christiana and Deandre Michael Walter).
He was preceded in death by his parents (Jacob Frank 1976 and Sarah 1980), 4 brothers (Edwin Frank Walter 1997, John Johnny Frank Walter 1989, Ernest Frank Walter 1973, Willie Jacob Walter 1955) and two sisters (Anne Whitmore 1986, and Mary F. Berggren 2007).
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle