Walter William Steinhauer

Walt and Ella
Walt holding the Century Farm sign
Walt and Ella at their home in Thief River Falls

Walter Steinhauer, 93 died Thursday, February 07, 2008 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN. Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, February 11, 2008 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Holt, MN with Reverend Nancy Hanson officiating.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 5:00 P.M. Prayer service on Sunday evening and also at the church for one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Burial will be in Holt Cemetery, Holt, MN.

Walter William Steinhauer was born on September 29, 1914 in Marshall County, near Holt, MN, the son of Fred and Ida (Ortloff) Steinhauer. He was baptized and confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church and attended Manor School and Holt School, graduating from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. Walter was united in marriage to Alice Rye on September 9, 1942. Walter and Alice were married 41 years. Alice passed away in 1984.

Walter and Ella Rye Anderson were married on January 11, 1986; celebrated their twenty second anniversary in January.

In his younger years he farmed with his dad; he would take over the farm, specializing in grain and dairy cattle. The farm, homesteaded under the presidency of James A Garfield, has been in the Steinhauer family and earned the honor of being a century farm in 1982.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and was an avid reader. Walter loved family gatherings. He enjoyed his visits with all the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church where he served on the church council, and he was also a member of the Holt and Marshall County Central School Boards for 26 years, a member of Excel Township Board and Marshall County Soil and Water Conservation for 21 years.

Walter is survived by his wife, Ella of Thief River Falls, MN; seven children: Cleo (Kenneth) Swanson of Missoula, MT. Harold Steinhauer of rural Thief River Falls, MN, Jeanette (Doug) Grund of Baudette, MN, Gladys (Tom) Ahlin of Elko, NV, Donna (Jon) Fosholm of rural Newfolden, MN, Bruce Steinhauer of Thief River Falls, MN and Patty (Jim) Klemmetsen of rural Thief River Falls, MN; son-in-law, Bill Mehrkens of rural Thief River Falls, MN; 15 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; five step children; Dorothy Anderson (Larry) Schneider of Paola, Kansas; Richard Anderson (Judy) of Deming, NM, Robert Anderson of Albuquerque, NM, Judy Anderson Sorum (Arlen) of Thief River Falls, and Shirley Anderson Hagen (Keith) of Gatzke. Ella's grandchildren adopted Walt as a very special person in there lives. Her grandchildren who also feel the loss are: Larry Gene Schneider, Lynelle Dickey, Susi Anderson Upuni, Richard L Anderson, Rachel Anderson Thomae, Bud Anderson, Ryen Anderson, Lisa Arnold Metzner, Nenna Arnold, Brenda Hagen Friesner, Vincent Hagen, and Juanita Watne.

Walter was especially kind to Ella's great grandchildren and knew Walt as a great grandpa. The children visited him often. Those great grandchildren that knew him from the Thief River Falls area are Shalin Anderson, Kelsie and Jordan Hagen, and Brigette and Bailey Watne. To them, he was Grandpa Walt.

Alfred (Joyce) Steinhauer of Midland, MI; brother-in-law, Ralph (Atropa) Rye of De Soto, KS; sister in law Gertrude Nyvall, Thief River Falls, MN, and several nieces and nephews also survive. Friends as well as family reminsce their friendships with Walt.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alice; daughter, Irene; son-in-law, Ken Swanson; grandson, Paul Mehrkens; and brother, Robert.

Loving prayers and thoughts to all who knew and cherished him. Take moments to think about how he touched your life. Think about how this widow and widower meshed families together. Think about what Ella said before their marriage when asked if she loved him. She said, "I not only love him, I am in love with him". Ella told her daughter that she was now alone. She, of course, still has her family but that isn't the same, is it? Consider the days with your mate as precious, just as Walt and Ella did on their second marriages and remember just because one isn't a 'blood' parent, grandparent, or great grandparent, one can still adopt them and honor them as 'one of your own.

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