Memorial service for Walter F. Buntrock, 92, of Aberdeen will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2013, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. The family will be at the church by 9:30 a.m. to greet friends.
Walter died April 1, 2013, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.
Walter F. Buntrock was born Oct. 26, 1920, near Columbia on the family farm to Herman John and Elise Gertrude (Podoll) Buntrock. He attended country school and graduated from the Columbia High School in 1939. He then attended Northern Normal College in Aberdeen for two years and in August 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy. Walter served in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was honorably discharged in December 1945.
On Oct. 18, 1946, he married Wilma Weismantel at St. John's Lutheran Church in Columbia. In 1953, they purchased a farm near Claremont and in 1958, they purchased a farm west of Columbia in the Ordway Township. They retired in 1994 from farming, sold their farm and moved to Aberdeen.
Walter enjoyed carving wood and making Diamond Willow canes. He made many miniature "Tin Men" for the OZ Festivals and in June 2011, he went on the last Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. While living in Aberdeen, he was a volunteer for RSVP.
He is survived by one daughter, Rene (Harry) Hixon of Rapid City; one son, Randy (Teresa) Buntrock of Casselton, N.D.; three grandchildren: Amanda Hixon, Brietta (Sean) Johnson and Zachary Buntrock; two sisters: Esther Herther of Sioux Falls and Irene Healy of Aberdeen.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wilma, on March 10, 2002; two sisters; and three brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, PO Box 507, Minot, ND 58702 or to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141.
Ushers will be: David Swanhorst and John Swanhorst.
Organist will be Sheri Scott.
Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen has been entrusted with arrangements.
carlsenfh.com