Obituary of Elmer Joseph Walz

Parkston – Elmer Joseph Walz, 92, went to his heavenly home Sunday, August 20 at Avera St. Benedict Hospital.  Funeral mass will be Saturday, August 26 at Saturday, August 26 at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston.  Visitation will be Friday, August 25 from 5 to 7 pm with a 7:00 pm prayer service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston.  Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Elmer was born January 7, 1931 to Wendlen and Clara (Hohn) Walz on the farm near Parkston, SD.  He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and attended Sacred Heart Catholic School through the 4th grade.  He completed his education at a country school near the farm.  He served his country during the Korean War as a parajumper with the US Army Airborne from Fort Campbell, KY from 1952 until being honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1954.  He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Quila Jane Weiss, on September 18, 1956 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Parkston.  He was a lifelong farmer spending 8 years on a farm west of town and then moved to the family farm east of Parkston.  While farming, he sold Archer’s Oil, Prairie Life Insurance and milked Holstein cows.  After retiring from milking, he began driving the school bus for the Parkston School District and athletic events for 20 years.  He retired and moved into Parkston in 2008.  He truly enjoyed spending time with the children and listening to their strories.  When on the farm, he was on the Milltown Township board for many years.  He enjoyed wood working and with his photographic memory could see it once and make it from memory.  He enjoyed restoring tractors, mostly focusing on Oliver tractors.  He especially enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and teaching the grandchildren.  On Sunday’s after church, he would turn on the polka/waltz music and taught all of his children to dance. After moving to town, he became a member of the American Legion #194.  Many fun times were had with the in-laws and their children exploring farm life!  

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Quila of Parkston; 5 children:  Brenda (Terry) Spier of Ethan, SD; Timothy (Cindy) Walz of Parkston; Lori (Darla) Van Driel of Buffalo, MN; Lisa (Allen) Rude of McVille ND; and Rick (Donna) Walz of Parkston; 8 grandchildren:  Jacob, Jason (Christi), Kim (Scott), Emily, Andrew (Kristine), Derik (Brittany), Sabrina (Arick), and Tony (Malorie); 3 step-grandchildren:  Angie (Adam), Andy (Lindsey), and Annie (Trevor); 14 great-grandchildren:  Allison, Brantley, Rayson, Emery, Lexi, Adie, Bentley, LillyAnna, Owen, Jase, Tensley, Tallyn, Keegan, and Brynlee; and 5 step-great-grandchildren, Jace, Rhett, Liam, Avery and Beau.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.