Martin C. Walter

Martin Christoph Walter, 75, of Urbandale, formerly of Guttenberg, died Monday, April 10, 2017, at Bickford of Urbandale Senior Living Center in Urbandale.

Funeral services were Monday, April 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Guttenberg, conducted by Rev. Timothy Braun. Visitation was before services at the church.

Interment was at the Guttenberg City Cemetery.

Arrangements were handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, Guttenberg.

Martin was born on Sept. 30, 1941, in Guttenberg, the son of Martin W. and Evelyn A. Walter.

Martin received his education from Guttenberg Public Schools where he graduated with the class of 1959. A few months later, Martin enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until he received his honorable discharge on Sept. 14, 1965. Martin met his wife, Barbara Marshall, when he was stationed in Phoenix, Ariz. They were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Guttenberg on April 20, 1963. Martin and Barbara were blessed with four children. Martin worked for John Deere in Dubuque for 35 years until his retirement in 2000. 

Martin was a faith-filled man and served Trinity Lutheran Church in many roles including president, treasurer, and elder. Martin enjoyed watching his children play high school and college sports. He enjoyed gardening and reading Civil War books. He walked and biked miles in the park alongside the Mississippi River. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and was a season football ticket holder for many years. After retirement, Martin and Barb traveled with friends around the United States. He especially enjoyed visiting Civil War sites and cruising the river on the Mississippi Queen. 

Those left to cherish his memory are Martin’s wife of 53 years, Barbara, of Clive (formerly of Guttenberg); four children, Rhonda (Warren) Schroeder of Cedar Falls, Pamela (Chris) Finn of Liberty, Mo., Eric (Tiffany) Walter of Urbandale, Erin (Bradley) Smith of Stuart; seven grandchildren: Wheaton (fiancé Christine Feldmann), Emily and Adam Schroeder, Declan and Connor Finn, Mason and Jayden Walter; two siblings, Frederick (Irene) Walter of Austin Texas, Marion Rife of McGaheysville, Va., and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Trinity Lutheran Church, Guttenberg, Walnut Ridge Chaplaincy Fund,  Clive, or Hope Lutheran Church, Des Moines.