Harry Walker

Harry L. Walker, 86, of Cadott, died Friday, January 26, 2018. .

He was born January 21, 1932 in Alpena, South Dakota to Anna (Koerner) and Jacob Walker. He graduated from Alpena High School, class of 1951. He was a celebrated athlete and held many school records for his abilities.

On June 29, 1952, Harry married his High School Sweetheart Donna Lee Brandenburg. Just three months after their wedding, Harry was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean Conflict.

Following his honorable discharge, Harry and Donna began their family and together had three daughters. In 1959, they moved to Minneapolis, MN and resided there until moving to Chippewa Falls in 1971. Harry had a successful ornamental railings business for many years called J & H Specialties. Once he sold the business, he continued to work in the steel industry at Phoenix Steel in Eau Claire until his retirement. Donna passed away in 1984.

From the time Harry was a young boy with his first slingshot, he loved to hunt. He loved everything about it, including walking in the woods, building tree stands, training dogs to hunt, and inventing ways to make the hunt better. While living in Minnesota, he was the 1964 Minnesota State Champion for Instinctive Archery.

Harry later married Dianne (Robinson) Swoboda. They resided in Cadott. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was an avid Cubs and Vikings fan, but especially liked to attend and cheer on the Cadott Basketball teams, both boys and girls, where he hardly ever missed a game.

He will be dearly missed by his wife Dianne; two daughters, Linda (Mark) Nelson of New Auburn, Vicki Seidlitz (Jack Felmlee) of Chippewa Falls; grandchildren, Stephanie (Justin) Steinmeyer, Joel Seidlitz, all of Elk Mound, Brianna (Joey) Meicher of Eau Claire; great-grandchildren, Morgan and Logan Steinmeyer, Eleanor Meicher and baby Meicher, due in April; siblings, Viola Keeton of Wessington Springs, SD, Paul Walker (Richard Corsini) of Palm Springs, CA, Doris (Bill) Greaves of Ogden, UT, MaryLou Cameron of Wessington Springs; step-children, Craig (Marilyn) Swoboda of Chippewa Falls, Dan (Tracy) Swoboda of Fallbrook, CA, Joe (Leslie) Swoboda of Chippewa Falls, Lisa (Michael) Hernbrott of Bloomington, IL; step-grandchildren, Stephanie (Tim) Boegh of McFarland, Hayden Swoboda (Cassandra Clark) of Eau Claire, Brian Swoboda of Nashville, TN, Crystal Swoboda (Steven Lucasiewicz) of Omaha, NE, Rachel Swoboda of Eagan, MN, Alex (Christi) Swoboda of McFarland, Bryanna Swoboda of Chippewa Falls, Caiti (Kevin) Gentes of Normal, IL, Daniel Hernbrott of Bloomington, IL; step-great-grandchildren, Lainey Boegh, Jameson Swoboda, Lily and Walker Gentes; special neighbors and caregivers, Carolyn and John Wanish of Cadott; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Donna; a daughter, Teri Walker; a brother, Donald Walker; a sister, Esther Cunningham; sister-in-law, Margaret Walker; brothers-in-law, Don Keeton, Don Cameron and Cecil Cunningham.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, January 30 at Central Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Aaron Sturgis officiating. Military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will take place following the service at the church. Burial will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Memorials may go to the Cadott High School Attn: Athletic Director to support the basketball and archery programs.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls is serving the family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.