Obituary for Walter A. Papenfus
Four Score and Nine Years ago (89 years), Our Lord brought forth into Walter Sr. and Alma Papenfus’ marriage their fourth child, Walter A. Papenfus Jr., on April 30th, 1933. He was baptized on June 25th, 1933 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. His spiritual life within the Lutheran Church continued his entire life.
Walt grew up with his four siblings - Hilda, Earl, Herbert and Margaret. They lived and worked on a farm during difficult economic times when our country was experiencing the Great Depression, followed by World War II when there were food shortages and ration books for basic needs. During this time, farm life benefited families as there was almost always food available on the farm.
Walt attended a one room country grade school (where he and his siblings were half of the students) and then Elkhorn High School where he graduated in 1951. He is proud of the beautiful multi-wood, multi-color reading lamp he made on a lathe in woodworking class which has been in the family living room still to this day.
Farm kids always had lots of work to do in the morning before school and after school until supper time. Most of the days during the summer they took care of the horses, cattle, pigs and chickens; tended to crops in the fields (such as hay, oats and corn); and helped with harvesting. They also had pet dogs, cats and bunnies to play with.
Walt was baptized, confirmed and continued to worship and serve in a Lutheran church. After High School he worked as a carpenter and later enrolled in D.T.I., a Chicago Electronics School. The electronic education helped when he enlisted in the Army in January 1954. He served in a Radar and Guided Missile Unit at one of the many Nike Surveillance and Guided Missile bases that protected Detroit, Michigan during the Korean War.
Walt was always proud that he was able to serve his country. He signed up for the GI Education Bill and just days after being discharged from the Army enrolled at the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he earned two degrees; Bachelor of Science in Light Building Design, Construction and Administration; and Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate. Walt was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college.
While attending the University of Wisconsin, Walt was active at Calvary Lutheran Chapel and Student Center. It was there that he met Margie Lawrence of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Walt and Margie were married June 7th, 1959 at Calvary Chapel. Following graduation he worked in the home building industry until 1981 when he saw a need for new home buyers to be provided with better assistance in building their homes, so he started his own consulting business and taught classes at Waukesha Technical College.
Walt and Margie’s marriage was blessed with the birth of three sons - Luther, Matthew and Joseph. Their three sons attended St. Paul Lutheran Grade School and then New Berlin West High School. Luther and Joe graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and pursued careers in the U.S. Army. Luther lives in North Carolina and Joe stills serves and recently moved back to the U.S. from Germany. Matt graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering and pursued a career in Construction Management. Walt and Margie are also blessed with a daughter-in-law, Melissa Lopez (Matt’s wife) and six grandchildren - RuthAnne, Jackson, Noah, Eli, Margaret and Georgia who live in Texas.
Walt is survived by his wife, his sons, his daughter-in-law, his grandchildren and his brother Herb Papenfus.
Walt’s life has been an example of faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and his confidence in Salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead to pay the price for all our sins. Walt is now in Heaven for all Eternity.
Praise the Lord!
A Memorial Service will be held for Walter A. Papenfus on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, 9741 W. Beloit Road, Milwaukee, WI 53227. Visitation will be from 10-11am, Memorial Service at 11am followed by a catered gathering also at the Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church.
In Lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Friends For Health In Haiti:
https://www.friendsforhealthinhaiti.org/ https://www.friendsforhealthinhaiti.org/give
Walt grew up with his four siblings - Hilda, Earl, Herbert and Margaret. They lived and worked on a farm during difficult economic times when our country was experiencing the Great Depression, followed by World War II when there were food shortages and ration books for basic needs. During this time, farm life benefited families as there was almost always food available on the farm.
Walt attended a one room country grade school (where he and his siblings were half of the students) and then Elkhorn High School where he graduated in 1951. He is proud of the beautiful multi-wood, multi-color reading lamp he made on a lathe in woodworking class which has been in the family living room still to this day.
Farm kids always had lots of work to do in the morning before school and after school until supper time. Most of the days during the summer they took care of the horses, cattle, pigs and chickens; tended to crops in the fields (such as hay, oats and corn); and helped with harvesting. They also had pet dogs, cats and bunnies to play with.
Walt was baptized, confirmed and continued to worship and serve in a Lutheran church. After High School he worked as a carpenter and later enrolled in D.T.I., a Chicago Electronics School. The electronic education helped when he enlisted in the Army in January 1954. He served in a Radar and Guided Missile Unit at one of the many Nike Surveillance and Guided Missile bases that protected Detroit, Michigan during the Korean War.
Walt was always proud that he was able to serve his country. He signed up for the GI Education Bill and just days after being discharged from the Army enrolled at the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he earned two degrees; Bachelor of Science in Light Building Design, Construction and Administration; and Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate. Walt was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college.
While attending the University of Wisconsin, Walt was active at Calvary Lutheran Chapel and Student Center. It was there that he met Margie Lawrence of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Walt and Margie were married June 7th, 1959 at Calvary Chapel. Following graduation he worked in the home building industry until 1981 when he saw a need for new home buyers to be provided with better assistance in building their homes, so he started his own consulting business and taught classes at Waukesha Technical College.
Walt and Margie’s marriage was blessed with the birth of three sons - Luther, Matthew and Joseph. Their three sons attended St. Paul Lutheran Grade School and then New Berlin West High School. Luther and Joe graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and pursued careers in the U.S. Army. Luther lives in North Carolina and Joe stills serves and recently moved back to the U.S. from Germany. Matt graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering and pursued a career in Construction Management. Walt and Margie are also blessed with a daughter-in-law, Melissa Lopez (Matt’s wife) and six grandchildren - RuthAnne, Jackson, Noah, Eli, Margaret and Georgia who live in Texas.
Walt is survived by his wife, his sons, his daughter-in-law, his grandchildren and his brother Herb Papenfus.
Walt’s life has been an example of faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and his confidence in Salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead to pay the price for all our sins. Walt is now in Heaven for all Eternity.
Praise the Lord!
A Memorial Service will be held for Walter A. Papenfus on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, 9741 W. Beloit Road, Milwaukee, WI 53227. Visitation will be from 10-11am, Memorial Service at 11am followed by a catered gathering also at the Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church.
In Lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Friends For Health In Haiti:
https://www.friendsforhealthinhaiti.org/ https://www.friendsforhealthinhaiti.org/give