Glenn Walters

When reflecting on the life of Glenn Walters, words such as loving, hardworking, and generous come to mind, but no greater word could describe his life than faithful. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He treasured the time he spent with his growing family and enjoyed the company of each and every one of them. His passion for providing the abundant riches in life were shown through his many years of giving selflessly of his time and resources for his family and encouraging their every success. His loving presence and compassionate ways will be dearly missed and fondly remembered for generations to come.

Reflecting on the 1920's, it was a period of sustained economic prosperity. Radio stations were growing in popularity throughout the US, and the media was focused on jazz music and celebrities. In the same year that Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo flight across the Atlantic, Louis and Lydia (Ihrke) Walters welcomed home their newborn son, Glenn Carl, into their hearts on June 2nd, 1927. Raised by faithful parents, he was baptized July 3, 1927, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Eyota, and later confirmed there as well on September 1, 1940. Born the youngest of four sons, his birth brought much hope and happiness to their home.

Glenn was often proud to reflect on his upbringing on the family farm. Situated on an old stagecoach route, it was the place he felt most content. He was known to boast of his childhood years working on the farm. It wasn't uncommon for him to haul out seventeen loads of manure, clean the barn by himself, and save enough energy to also help his older brothers on their farms. There was no doubt that his work ethic was second to none! Glenn attended Quincy Township School, the local rural school which was roughly three-quarters of a mile from his home. Little did he know that he would meet the woman of his dreams, Eileen Ruth Smith way back then but it was true that during his young adolescence she caught his eye when she'd accompany her sister who was living at a neighboring farm! Later, when she was nineteen, he spotted her across the dancefloor at a local dance hall! Dating for a short time, the happy couple joined in marriage on September 4, 1948, in Wright, Minnesota. Glenn fondly reflected on his wedding day as one of the most treasured days of his life.

Glenn and Eileen shared a beautiful life together. Starting their journey they made their first years together on the Walters family farm which they later purchased from his parents in 1960 changing the name to Glenview. It was here they were blessed with their four wonderful children. As a father, Glenn was supportive, yet firm. He wanted nothing more than the very best for his children and instilled in each of them the same strong work ethic he valued. He taught them the ways of a farmer and encouraged them to take pride in anything they set out to accomplish! Known to despise thistles, he ordered the kids to hoe them, pull them, mow them, and even spray them! Glenn loved to challenge himself with a keen eye for taking out any varmint in the yard! For entertainment, he'd shoot them right from the back porch of the house! He was quite gifted when it came to shooting a gun which served him well with fox hunting and deer hunting over the years. The farm was the setting for each and every holiday where the family gathered together! They enjoyed countless celebrations and picnics there over the years always including neighbors and many of their extended family members. Each silo filling season the neighbors could count on the help from one another and then join together over Oyster Stew! Everyone was made to feel welcome at the Glenview farm!

Although farming was his first love, he credited his strong faith in his Lord and Savior among his richest blessings. Driven to share the goodness of his faith life, he taught Sunday school for many years and served as a church council member at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in St. Charles. He was extremely proud of his faith and practiced it without hesitation. Serving others brought him great joy so it was no surprise that he volunteered as Dover fireman and was looked upon as a father figure by many. When you shook the hand of Glenn Walters, you knew that there was something incredibly special about him. Never one to hold a grudge, there simply wasn't anything he wouldn't do for a friend or family member in need. Anyone was welcome at his table where he recited these words before each and every meal: "The eyes of all weigh upon thee O Lord and thou giveth them their meat in due season. Thou openest thy hands and satisfyeth the desire of every living thing. For these and all things we thank thee O Lord. Amen."

Hard to believe that there came a time for Glenn to retire from the family farm. However, he met these years with grace. He and Eileen enjoyed traveling in their RV to the beautiful state of Texas, toured the East Coast, and bought a cabin at Cromwell to be closer to Eileen's family. They spent many years there fishing and boating as well as water skiing on a homemade disc that Glenn had crafted! A cowboy at heart, Glenn enjoyed watching the old popular Westerns such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, or a good John Wayne movie. Glenn's stories and laughter are etched on the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Special pallbearers Marvin Ihrke, Van Walters, Gary Papensus, Dick Kahn, Dan Walters, and Dale Bierbaum will be forever honored to know they carried home a true man of integrity. hard work, dedication, and unconditional love. May those left behind continue to honor Glenn's legacy by living it with his same dedication and devotion.

Glenn Carl Walters, 91, of Dover, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2018, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. Glenn is survived by his four children; Randy (Betty), Debra (Michael) Hoekstra, Jeffrey (Brenda) and Brad (Sue), 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and a sister, Betty Bierbaum of Eyota. He was preceded in death by Eileen, his wife of 58 years, three brothers, two sisters, two infant siblings and one daughter-in-law. Funeral Service for Glenn will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 20th at St. Matthew Lutheran Church with the Reverend Samuel Morsching officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Dover. Friends may call at St. Matthew Lutheran Church from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and 10-11 a.m. Friday. Please share a memory of Glenn and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com. Memorial contributions are preferred to Seasons Hospice of Rochester or to St. Matthew Lutheran Church of St. Charles.