Walter Earl Herrstrom, age 89, passed away on Friday, June 29, 2018. He was born on April 25, 1929 in Tucson, AZ to Martin Walter Herrstrom and Iona Cecil (Anderson) Herrstrom. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at the Dengel & Son Funeral Home 120 S. Broadway Louisburg, KS.
A second visitation will be 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 5th at the Louisburg First Baptist Church 406 S. Vine Louisburg with the Funeral service following at 11:00 a.m., burial… Read More » with military honors to follow in the Louisburg Cemetery. Walter married his wife of 57 years, Mary Lou Melvin, on June 11, 1961 in Kansas City, KS. They were blessed with three children, Shari Lynne Herrstrom, Shelly Lee (Herrstrom) Haeberle, and son Lynn Allen Herrstrom.
Walter grew up on a farm in Tonganoxie, KS where he graduated high school in 1947. He began working in the automobile business out of high school. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was active duty from January 2, 1952 through December 31, 1953.
He served in the Korean War, and received numerous awards including the National Presidential Medal of Honor. He continued in the active Marine Corps reserves until honorable discharge in 1960. Walter worked for General Motors Corporation in the Fairfax district in Kansas City, KS.
He worked his way into management as foreman, general foreman and plant manager. He retired after 38 years with a perfect attendance record. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Wilma Clem, a brother, Harvey Herrstrom, brother, Elden Herrstrom, and daughter, Shari Lynne Herrstrom, age 12.
He leaves his wife, Mary Herrstrom, daughter, Shelly Haeberle, son, Lynn (Marissa) Herrstrom, grandsons Tanner (Kelsey) Haeberle, Trevor Haeberle, Jack Herrstrom, and Johnny Schmidt, granddaughter, Jenna Herrstrom, great-granddaughters, Harper and Ellie Haeberle, nephews, Tom Herrstrom, and Jim Herrstrom, and niece, Darlene Heard. Walter loved his family and having everyone all together. He enjoyed farming and raising cattle.
He had a passion for all animals and pets. He had a giving heart and was a kind and generous man to all who knew him. His outlook on life was to be stern, work hard, provide for his family, and treat others with respect.
He will live on forever in the hearts of his family. His life and the joy he brought to everyone will never be forgotten. Donations in Walter’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Louisburg building fund.
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