Service Information
Allen J. Walter, husband of Marie, age 90, of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Buffalo Lake Health Care Center in Buffalo Lake.
Memorial Service will be held Friday, December 29, 2023, 11:00 A.M., at Zion United Methodist Church in Buffalo Lake, with interment in the church cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Thursday, December 28, from 5:00-7:00 P.M., at Zion United Methodist Church in Buffalo Lake, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorials preferred to Zion United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 248 Buffalo Lake, MN 55314, or the F.R.E.E. Program at the Buffalo Lake Health Care Center, P.O. Box 368 Buffalo Lake, MN 55314.
Obituary
Allen James Walter was born on December 1, 1933, to Clarence and Ruth (Schafer) Walter at home in rural Martinsburg Township, Renville County, Minnesota. Allen was baptized April 1, 1934, by Reverend R.R. Werner, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on April 21, 1946 by Reverend I.E. Kottke, both at Zion Evangelical Church in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. He attended school in Buffalo Lake, but transferred to Green Dell Country School #57 when his family moved to Preston Lake Township in 1940. Allen completed grades 7-12 at the Buffalo Lake School, graduating in 1951.
Allen entered active military service in the United States Army on March 18, 1955, in Olivia, Minnesota, and served his country during Peace Time. He spent most of his time at White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico. Allen received an Honorable Discharge on March 15, 1957, at Fort Bliss, Texas, and achieved the rank of Specialist Third Class.
On July 22, 1967, Allen was united in marriage to Marie Brehmer at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Red Wing, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two children, Mark and Lynn. Allen and Marie made their home on the farm in rural Buffalo Lake. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage.
While growing up, Allen got his first taste of farming, custom baling with his father around the Buffalo Lake area. Soon after his Army Discharge, Allen began his lifelong dream of farming with help from his father. His brother Loren, joined them in farming in 1965. In 1968, Allen and Loren formed a partnership and worked together for the next 35 years as Walter Brothers Farms, and later W.B. Farms Inc. Marie supported Allen as a devoted farm-wife, homemaker, and book-keeper. They raised their family along with the hogs, cattle, sugar beets, and grain. Allen and Marie “retired” from farming in 1998. Allen continued to help on the farm until Loren’s retirement in 2003. After Allen and Marie rented out their acres, Allen could still be found tilling the soil alongside Mike and Matt Melberg, to “enjoy the view”.
Allen was dedicated to his faith, agriculture and community. He was a member of Zion United Methodist Church, having served as Trustee, Lay Leader, Chairman of Administrative Board, and other committees. He was active in 4-H, a member of the Rod and Gun Club, Buffalo Lake Lions Club, served as a Director on the Boards for the Buffalo Lake Famers Co-op Elevator (Secretary), Minnesota Energy (Secretary), Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center, and CenBank. He helped build Habitat for Humanity Homes in Hector and Buffalo Lake. Allen also helped members of Akeley United Methodist Church build a new church.
During retirement, Allen and Marie enjoyed many motor coach trips in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Allen loved the outdoors; deer hunting, fishing, helping Marie in the gardens, caring for the lawn, and feeding birds. He enjoyed reading farm magazines or a good book, and craft woodworking. Special weeks for him were at 8th Crow Wing Lake (Nevis, MN) with his family for over 50 years in a cabin or their trailer at the resort. He also enjoyed playing piano or organ for his own entertainment.
Allen passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center in Buffalo Lake, at the age of 90 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Allen is survived by his:
Wife, Marie Walter of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Son, Mark Walter of Jackson, MN;
Daughter, Lynn Lockard and her husband, Doug of Burnsville, MN;
Siblings, Kenneth Walter and his wife, Nancy of Apple Valley, MN,
Judy Williams of Burnsville, MN,
Neil Walter and his wife, Gerri of Inver Grove Heights, MN;
Sister-in-law, Carol Walter of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Allen is preceded in death by his Parents, Clarence and Ruth Walter; Brothers, Richard Walter and his wife, Avis, Loren Walter; Brother-in-law, Donald Williams; Nephew, Matt Walter; Niece, Trina Walter; Parents-in-law, Clarence and Frances Brehmer; Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law, John and Marion Jacobson; and many cousins.
Pat O’Connor says
Sorry to hear of your loss Marie. Sounds like he had a good long life.
Keep your memories close and stay strong. Home Economucs friend, Pat O’Connor
Kris Dascher says
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Mr. Walter as a decent, hard-working man with a good head on his shoulders.