Walter E. Ward

PLYMOUTH: Walter E. Ward, 89, of Plymouth, IA, died Monday, September 23, 2013, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 4th Street S.E. – Mason City, with Pastor Paul C. Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City. Interment will be held at the Plymouth Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Walter Ward memorial fund in care of his family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com. Walter was born in Plymouth, Iowa, on April 8, 1924, the son of Homer and Loretta (Everhart) Ward. Walter attended Plymouth High School and graduated in 1943. Shortly after graduation, Walter entered the U.S. Army, receiving basic training in El Paso, TX. While in Europe during WWII, Walter was wounded when their train was bombed while serving with a medical unit transporting the wounded from the front lines back to France. Although Walter enjoyed traveling, after being honorably discharged after the war, Walter returned to the only place he ever considered living, Plymouth, Iowa. On August 29, 1948, Walter married Irene Borchardt at St. John's Lutheran Church, Rock Township, Mitchell County, IA. Over the years, he worked for International Mineral and Chemical Corporation (27 years) and the Chicago and North Western Railway Co. (19 years) before his retirement in 1986. Walter enjoyed spending time with his family. He also enjoyed woodworking, gardening, traveling, stamp collecting and was an avid antique collector. Walter was thankful that he was able to cross a couple things off his bucket list; visiting the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. via the Honor Flight and traveling with his grandson, Dan, to see the California Redwoods. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church. Walter is survived by his wife of 65 years: Irene Ward of Plymouth; his children: David (Julie Braun) Ward of Mason City, Paul (Debra) Ward of Plymouth, Donna (Marlin) Jensen of Mason City, and Julie (Steve) Nuehring of Mason City; 9 grandchildren: Matthew Ward of Des Moines, IA, Daniel (Jen) Ruyter of Oviedo, FL, Kristin Ruyter of Oviedo, FL, Lucas Ward of Mason City, Christopher Jensen of Marion, IA, Ashley Ward of Mason City, Abbie (Blake) Upmeyer of Des Moines, Whitney Nuehring (fiancé, Derek Grote) of Boone, IA, and Cortney Nuehring of Sioux Falls, SD; 3 great grandchildren: Owen, Ethan and Lauren; and 1 sister: Marilyn Ward of Mason City. He is also survived by nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter: Diane Hagen; son: Dale Ward; and sister: Marjorie Murren.

Cemetery:
Interment will be held at the Plymouth Oakwood Cemetery

Memorials may be directed to the Walter Ward memorial fund in care of his family.

Visitation:
Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, at Major Erickson Funeral Home

Service:
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at St. James Lutheran Church