David "Dave" Henry Walter, Sr., 56 of Beaver Dam WI, died on Friday, September 13, 2013, from complications of living many years with diabetes and heart disease. Even though we will all miss him dearly, he is now pain free.

Dave was born November 1, 1956 in Elgin, IL, the son of Donald and Marian (nee Beisner) Walter, living in Beaver Dam since he was two years old. He attended South Beaver Dam Elementary School and Beaver Dam Jr. & Sr. High. On October 14, 1978, he married Ann Marie (nee Henke) Walter in Beaver Dam. Together they had two children, David H. Walter, Jr. and Jennifer K. Walter, both of Beaver Dam.

Before his health was too bad, Dave farmed with his parents outside of Beaver Dam, in the Town of Calamus. Together they operated two dairy farms. Dave was in his glory when he was able to farm. Driving tractor and plowing fields were his two favorite things to do. Even after moving to the city, he was still a farmer at heart, driving tractor every chance he could get. The neighbors out on the farm and childhood friends were still considered neighbors and friends after moving out of the country in 1983. Dave was very proud to raise his children as the "son of a farmer" and a "farmer's daughter". Farmers have a strong work ethic, and he most definitely passed that along to Dave Jr. and Jenni. For the last few months, Dave has been trying to teach his children and grandchildren all the things he thought they still needed to know. He might have run out of time to teach them everything, but he has taught them to think things through, and that in itself will be with them the rest of their lives. He has also given them a good moral Christian base to live a good life by. Together with his wife, Dave and Ann raised two wonderful children and helped with raising two fine, beautiful grand-daughters.


From 1986 – 1996, Dave was a member of the Beaver Dam Jaycees. He loved doing whatever he could to lend a helping hand at projects. His favorite year was when he held the position of State Director and traveled the state visiting other chapters. Dave received many awards during his Jaycees years. The award that touched and honored him so deeply to have won, along with his family, was the Family of the Year award, both locally and regionally in 1989. The Jaycees were another place Dave met some of his best lifelong-lasting friends.


Dave loved to help others. When someone asked him to help them with something, he'd be right there ready to go. Up until the end, Dave collected cans and can tabs to donate the money to help the sick. Dave's favorite hobby was cutting and splitting wood. Even if Dave didn't know a person, if he saw there was wood to be cut or split, he'd be right there offering to help.


If you didn't know Dave from the country neighborhood while growing up, there's a good chance you met him at Miller's Union 76 Towing (where he was known as "Super Dave") or Roedl's Marathon (now Jerry's BP). Dave met some of his best friends from the gas station. He may also be remembered from Don Cigelske's Transmission, Babcock's (now United Auto Parts), Boy scout Troop 736, and let's not forget Cousins Subs, Dave met many friends there too. Dave truly was a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, making friends wherever he went.


Growing up, Dave was a member of St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam; after getting married, he became a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam; and is now a member at Grace Presbyterian Church, Beaver Dam.


When his children were young the family would weekend camp at the Playful Goose in Horicon. The last 10 summers, the family has been seasonal campers. Dave loved to help neighboring campers mow lawn. If he mowed four lawns in one day, that still wasn't enough for him. Without saying, the campground was another place Dave met more of his dearest, everlasting friends. Dave loved to cut wood and make big fires. The campfires at the Walter family site were some of the greatest fires the campground has ever seen. His grand-daughters will always have the favorite memory of their Grandpa teaching them to drive a golf cart. Tori and Alison will remember those moments forever.


The absolute most important thing to Dave was his family. During difficult times he was able to make it through with his wife, Ann; children, Dave and Jenni; and grand-daughters, Tori and Alison, by his side. Dave was a blessing to his family and friends, and he was blessed with a big family and a lot of friends.


Dave is survived by his wife, Ann; son, Dave Walter, Jr. and daughter, Jenni (Jeff Keel) Walter, both of Beaver Dam; grandchildren (Jenni's girls) Tori and Alison Walter of Beaver Dam, and Michael Keel (Jeff's son) of Fond du Lac; mother, Marian Walter of Beaver Dam; father-in-law, Sherwood Henke of Beaver Dam; siblings, Donna (Greg) Miller of Cambria, Susan (Jerry) Heuer of Fox Lake, Roger (Leslie) Walter of Beaver Dam; brother and sister-in laws, Melody (Bill) Lamberton, Dick (Pat Wickman) Henke, Jeanette (Fuller) Henke, Valli (Doug) Sternig, Roxanne (Jim) Poetter; former brother-in-law Randy (Sue) Callies; nieces and nephews Travis (Kerri) Miller, Scott Miller, Christopher (Tina) Miller and Matthew Miller; Erin (Ryan) Mayrand, Ryan (Joanne) Callies; Andrea (Josh) Meyer, Vicki (Nate) Born; Lisa Lamberton, Nicole (Jesse) Taylor; Amanda (David) Dionysius, Samantha (Dan Helmer) Henke, Rich (Nikki Garcia) Henke, Shane (Felicia) Henke; Patrick Sternig; Katherine (Kory) Leistico; great nieces and nephews, Tanner & Brianna Miller; Elizabeth & Emelly Miller; Colby Miller; Olivia & Aidan Mayrand; Braxton, Kasyn & Drake Callies; Jaeden & Bentley Born; Landon Meyer; Ashly (Phil) White; Jay, Jamari, Jordan & Jasmine Taylor; Sydney, Paige & Ella Dionysius; Robert, Bradley & Abigail Van Abel; Marysa Henke, Ayden & Alyse Garcia; Aleena, Landon & Craig Henke; Kendall & Kaleigh Leistico.


He was preceded in death by his father, Donald, in 1999; nephew Craig Fuller-Henke in 1991; and mother-in-law, Alice (Huebner) Henke in 2006.

Visitation for Dave will take place Friday, September 20, 2013, at Cornerstone Funeral Service, 135 Keller Blvd, Beaver Dam, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at Grace Presbyterian Church, 215 Gould St, Beaver Dam WI, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 21, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Chris Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, Town of Trenton. A luncheon will be served at the church following the burial.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sharon Haase for keeping Dave around for so many extra years, Dr. Haase's nursing staff, especially Mary and Patti, Hillside Hospice nurses Marita and Patty, hospice volunteer Sandi, hospice social worker Deb, and all the other hospice nurses and staff too many to remember them all, hospice Dr. Amy Muchow, the bath aides, Pastor Chris Davis of Grace Presbyterian Church, Todd Michael of Cornerstone Funeral Home and all of our family and friends that have called, came to visit, sent cards, and given us support during this difficult time.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.