Kenneth Otis Walter, 85
Kenneth Otis Walter, 85, passed away Nov. 11, 2008, at his residence in Roseburg, Ore. He was born June 3, 1923, in Polson to Herman Allen Walter and Mary Estelle Clouser Walter, the fourth of seven children. The seven children attended school at one time at the one-room school house in Lakeside, known as the little red school house by local residents.
After the death of his mother in June 1936, the family was split up and Kenny, age 13, was placed by the Flathead County Court with a foster family in Kalispell, where he enrolled in Flathead County High School.
He later was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941. After his Army service he began working in various state, federal and private forest industries, one of which was Royal Logging Company, a well-known logging business in the valley. After he left the forest industry, he went to work for Dale Collins Construction as a carpenter, where he worked for about two years. He then moved to Seattle, where he went to work for Sprague Incorporated.
He worked in landscaping and various jobs, including sewer installations in several states that included Utah, Oregon and Washington.
After leaving Sprague he moved to Medford, Ore., where he met and married Norma on May 8, 1964, in Ashland, Ore. Shortly after their marriage they moved back to Kalispell for a short time, then returning to Medford where he started his own excavating business until his retirement.
Kenny was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing, as well as spending many wonderful trips in his RV, enjoying several winters in Arizona.
He is survived by three daughters, Judy Walter Niederegger of Seattle, Kenda Jean Householder of Roseburg, and Maryann Walter of Milwaukie, Ore. Also surviving him are his brother, Virgil A. Walter, of Kalispell; and sister, Millie Walter, of Temecula, Calif.; also former wife, Eunice Mahlum of Kalispell, and Hazel Mellor Walter of Oregon; and stepsons, Guy Bundrock of Libby, and Donald Bundrock of Seattle.
Preceding him in death are his parents; wife, Norma Jean Walter; brothers, Vernon and Arnold (Corky); sisters, Betty Reed and Edith (Toby) Dutro; and former wife, Alberta Bundrock Walter.
A private family graveside service is to be conducted in Medford.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask you contribute to hospice or your favorite charity as a remembrance to Kenny.
Cards and condolences may be sent to Kenda Jean Householder and Maryann Walter at P.O. Box 284, Idleyld Park, OR 97447.