Walter EauClaire

Walter George Eau Claire, a lifelong Mason City resident, passed away Sunday, December 23, 2012, at the Good Shepherd Health Center following a short illness. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with Pastor Kathy Graves officiating. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Walter was born January 15, 1920, in Mason City, IA, the son of George and Regina (Thomson) Eau Claire. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1938. He pitched for the Mohawks baseball team, which was undefeated for two years and won a state championship in 1938. Walter served in the U.S. Army from 1941 - 1945. He served in the infantry in Europe and was wounded in action in Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. On December 12, 1942, he married Ruth Manning of Des Moines, IA, in Bethany, MO., during a furlough from the Army. Walter worked as a carman for the Milwaukee Railroad for 38 years before retiring in 1979. He was a devoted family man who enjoyed traveling to visit his children and grandchildren. He was an accomplished golfer and enjoyed following sports on television and radio. He was especially passionate about his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes football and basketball as well as the Chicago Cubs. Walter will be dearly missed by his wife of 70 years, Ruth Eau Claire of Mason City; and his children; son, Michael Eau Claire and wife Jeanene of Washington, DC, daughter Denise Held and husband Pete of Everett, WA and son, Steven Eau Claire and wife Anne Mae of North Potomac, MD. Also 10 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild, several nieces and nephews, and many longtime friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; all of his siblings; a daughter, Susann Allen; and 3 grandchildren (Craig Allen, Carolyn Allen Wilson, and Camille Allen). Memorials may be directed to the Walter Eau Claire memorial fund in care of the family.