Howard E Walter

Howard E. Walter December 25, 1928 - February 9, 2015

Howard E. Walter, age 86 longtime resident of Faribault, died Monday, February 9, 2015 at his home in Prior Lake, MN from natural causes.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Organization.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to services.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to Divine Mercy Catholic Church in memory of Howard.

Howard Edward Walter was born December 25, 1928 in New Ulm, MN to Edward and Anna (Bregel) Walter. He grew up in Fairfax, MN where he was baptized and confirmed. After school Howard enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He spent four years in the service of his country on board the U.S.S. Sphinx during the Korean War. In 1954 he was honorably discharged and he opened the first of many restaurants in Minneapolis. He also had restaurants in Victoria, Fairfax, Fairmont and Faribault. On April 26, 1958 he married the love of his life Betty Jane Tschimperle. In 1959 they lost their first daughter, Elizabeth, and went on to raise three children, Brian, Kelly and Jon.

In 1960 Howard and Betty bought the OK Caf in Faribault. They operated a very successful business called the Holiday Caf for 35 years. Howard was always a happy man. He loved to work in his restaurant and loved his customers. He was well known for his constant whistling, and he loved to sing and dance. Howard was an active man. He belonged to the Elks, VFW, American Legion, Faribault Golf and Country Club and the Knights of Columbus. His hobbies were refurbishing older homes, golfing, hunting, occasional fishing and of course his beloved Twins, Gophers and Vikings. He was a

member of Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Howard spent his final 15 months at McKenna Crossing in Prior Lake, close to his children and grandchildren.

Howard is survived by his children, Brian of Burnsville, Kelly (Paul) Heidecker of Prior Lake and Jon of Savage; by his eight grandchildren, Kaleigh, Ashley, Taylor, Austin, Jake, Rafe, Scarlett and Trevor; by two sisters, Marylou Reiser of Long Lake, MN and Lucille Urdesich of Medina, MN and other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty, brother, John, his sister Delores, and several in-laws, nieces and nephews.