Walter W Vater

Age 91, of Red Wing MN., formerly of Weyauwega, went to his Heavenly Home on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Walter was born on July 23, 1919 in Milwaukee, son of the late William and Amanda (Rabenhorst) Vater. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Marcus Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. He graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School and attended Concordia College in Milwaukee for two years. He then attended and graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served for three years in Alaska during World War II. After the war he received a call to teach at St. Marcus Lutheran School in Milwaukee where he later served as principal. Walter married Lorraine Puttin in July of 1951. She passed away in 1952. Walter married Ruth Struss on July 11, 1959. They celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary this past July. He accepted a call to teach and serve as principal of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Weyauwega in 1960. He also served as organist for the church. He taught there until he retired in 1985. He lived in Weyauwega until 2009 when he moved to Red Wing, MN. to be near family. He enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and traveling. He is survived by his wife Ruth; one daughter: Judy (Curtis) Vieths; three grandchildren: Darren (Jen) Vieths, Jessica Fitzgerald and Christina (Brandon) Lexvold; three great-grandchildren: Brianna Fitzgerald, Max and James Lexvold, and one nephew James (Susan) Vater. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Gerhard, Reinhard and William. The Christian Funeral for Walter will be held on Friday, October 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Weyauwega with Rev. Robbin Robbert and Rev. Dennis Lemke officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in the Township of Goodhue, MN. Friends may call at the Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral Home in Weyauwega on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A memorial fund has been established for Building on the Rock at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Weyauwega.