Walter “Walt” Waldenmaier
February 28th, 1931 - October 12th, 2023
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Walt's Obituary
Walter Eugene “Walt” Waldenmaier, 92, of St. Joseph passed away on October 12, 2023, at A Place Called Home in Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, October 18, at 11 AM at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor Jeffrey Hubers officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, October 17, from 5 PM until 7PM, with Military Rites being preformed at 6:45 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, as well as an hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Congregational Church or Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Rd., St. Joseph. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Walt was born on February 28, 1931, in St. Joseph, to Herman & Emma (Steinbrenner) Waldenmaier. He graduated from St. Joseph High in 1949 and shortly after he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy serving on the USS Cacapon supporting ground & air efforts of the Korean War. Walt would go on to earn the National Defense Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and China Service Medal before his honorable discharge in 1954. After returning home, Walt began working as an apprentice for Whirlpool as a Machine Repairman before he made his way up to Foreman and retiring after working for 39+ years. On November 10, 1956, he married the love of his life, Mary Jane Mavs, in Baroda. Together the two of them would enjoy volunteering at the soup kitchen and helping with projects at the church; including the well-known bi-annual church rummage sale. He also loved being outside hunting, fishing, working in his garden and spending time on Lake Michigan which held a special place in his heart having grown up near it. He was a proud fan of the University of Michigan Football Team and Notre Dame’s Woman’s Basketball Team. Walt was a member of the former Whirlpool Old Timers Club & a key stakeholder of the Whirlpool Old Timers Club Banquet at the original Shadowland Pavilion.
Walt is survived by his loving wife of nearly 67 years, Mary Jane; children¸ Nancy High of FL, Dean (Kimberly) Waldenmaier of WI and Gayle Waldenmaier of IN;
grandchildren, Christa (Sam) Sprecher, Michael Waldenmaier, Katelyn (JackMichael) Ward, Lukas (Hadley) High and Lance High; great-grandchildren, Madison & McKenzie Sprecher; and brother, Marvin (Jean Ann) Waldenmaier. He was preceded in death by his parents and two stillborn siblings.
Walt was born on February 28, 1931, in St. Joseph, to Herman & Emma (Steinbrenner) Waldenmaier. He graduated from St. Joseph High in 1949 and shortly after he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy serving on the USS Cacapon supporting ground & air efforts of the Korean War. Walt would go on to earn the National Defense Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and China Service Medal before his honorable discharge in 1954. After returning home, Walt began working as an apprentice for Whirlpool as a Machine Repairman before he made his way up to Foreman and retiring after working for 39+ years. On November 10, 1956, he married the love of his life, Mary Jane Mavs, in Baroda. Together the two of them would enjoy volunteering at the soup kitchen and helping with projects at the church; including the well-known bi-annual church rummage sale. He also loved being outside hunting, fishing, working in his garden and spending time on Lake Michigan which held a special place in his heart having grown up near it. He was a proud fan of the University of Michigan Football Team and Notre Dame’s Woman’s Basketball Team. Walt was a member of the former Whirlpool Old Timers Club & a key stakeholder of the Whirlpool Old Timers Club Banquet at the original Shadowland Pavilion.
Walt is survived by his loving wife of nearly 67 years, Mary Jane; children¸ Nancy High of FL, Dean (Kimberly) Waldenmaier of WI and Gayle Waldenmaier of IN;
grandchildren, Christa (Sam) Sprecher, Michael Waldenmaier, Katelyn (JackMichael) Ward, Lukas (Hadley) High and Lance High; great-grandchildren, Madison & McKenzie Sprecher; and brother, Marvin (Jean Ann) Waldenmaier. He was preceded in death by his parents and two stillborn siblings.
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Additional Visitation Information
Military Rites will be preformed at 6:45 PM by the North Berrien Military Rites Team.