Walter E. Christian, 88, of West Bend, passed away Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, at Samaritan Health Center in West Bend.

He was born on Dec. 18, 1921, in Mayville, to the late Henry and Clara (nee Pflugh) Christian. On Aug. 14, 1948, Walter was united in marriage to Dorothy Wild in Chicago. She preceded him in death on Sept. 21, 2009.

Walter served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was stationed in Africa, Italy, France and Germany. He went on to work as a welder for Maysteel Company in Mayville. Walter loved traveling the world. He was a kind and gentle man who loved animals.

He is survived by four children, June (Richard) Young of St. Louis, Mo., Jean (Donald) Penkoske of Kewaskum, Gayle Christian of Menomonie and Alan (Betty) Christian of Lake Tomahawk; five grandchildren, Pamela (Troy) Capp, Candace Oberholtzer, Jennifer (Scott) Schepp, Emily Christian and Ariel Christian; seven greatgrandchildren, Vanessa Sharp, A.J. Sharp, Nicholas Capp, Kyra Oberholtzer, Brett Oberholtzer, Kaleb Schepp and Talan Schepp; one sister, Edna Hadaller of Watertown; other relatives and friends.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; grandsons, Lance Penkoske and Nathan Christian; brother, Omer Christian; and sister, Amelda Rassmann.

Funeral services in remembrance of Walter will be held on Thursday, Nov. 4, at noon at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington St., West Bend, with the Rev. Bill Dushek officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial in Washington County Memorial Park will follow.

Online guest book and condolences may be found at
www.myrhum-patten.com

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the 4th floor nursing staff of Samaritan Health Center for their kind words and gentle care they gave Walter during his three years there. They were like family.