Walter Frank Kerscher, 94, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away at his home on February 11, 2013. He was born on November 2, 1918, to Leo and Mathilda (Alexander) Kerscher. On November 25, 1944, he married Kathleen “Katie” Schilling in Maplewood. In 1948, he built his home in Sturgeon Bay and became a member of Corpus Christi Parish.
Walter farmed his entire life and drove a milk truck for Cloverleaf Cheese Factory. He also worked for Algoma Hardwoods until his retirement in 1980. Walter owned and operated his own dairy farm along with raising pigs and chickens. Walter enjoyed being in the Odd Couples bowling league with his wife, ice fishing, going to the casinos, taking short bus trips and watching the Packers, even though he would bet against them with special friend, Val. Wally also had a green thumb and enjoyed his vegetable gardens and growing roses. Most of all, he loved his family and his church. For over 10 years, at 8:30 p.m. every evening, he turned on EWTN and prayed the rosary. Walter was loved by everyone and he had a great sense of humor.
Walter is survived by five children, Lee (Diane) Kerscher, Sussex, WI; Dianne (Rick) Zirbel, Sturgeon Bay; Ronald (Louise) Kerscher; Antioch, CA; Mark (Cindy) Kerscher and Monica (Blaine) Guilette, all of Sturgeon Bay; fourteen grandchildren, Mary, Karen, Richard, Dana, Ronnie, Chastity, Jamie, Craig, Jaci, Zachary, Adam, Katie, Michaela, and Jacob; six great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Amanda, Emily, Samuel, Mia and Mathew; one brother-in-law, Brownie Little, Sturgeon Bay; one sister-in-law, Mildred Schilling, Portland, OR. His special family was his nurses (Jill, Val, Julie, Kelly, Terry, Maxine) at the Dialysis Center in Sturgeon Bay. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Katie, grandson, Ryan Zirbel, sister, Anita Little; two brothers, Leonard (Pearl) Kerscher, and James (Jane) Kerscher; in-laws, Helen (Emil) Sallinen; Mae (Marvin) Keller; Ethel (Carl) Nelson; Hazel (Bob) Hamlin; Ken (Lillian) Schilling; and Glenn Schilling.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at Corpus Christi Church in Sturgeon Bay with the Rev. Anthony Birdsall and the Rev. Carl Schmitt officiating. Entombment will be in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Forbes Funeral Home (www.forbesfuneralhome.com) in Sturgeon Bay and on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening. Memorials may be directed to St. John Bosco School or Corpus Christi Church.
