Walter P. Schmaltz
Aug. 23, 1935-Sept. 2, 2021
Walter P. Schmaltz, the
son of Philip J. and Julia
(Goetz) Schmaltz was
born on August 23, 1935
in Rugby, North Dakota.
He died at the age of 86
years on Thursday, Sep-
tember 2, 2021 at the Haa-
land Home in Rugby,
North Dakota.
Walter was raised on
the family farm and re-
ceived his education from
a country school and Rug-
by High School. On
February 3, 1954, he was
united in marriage to Ma-
tilda Mitzel at the Sacred
Heart Catholic Church in
Orrin, North Dakota. In
1954, they made their
home southwest of Rugby
where they farmed and
raised their family. He
was a lifetime farmer,
both dairy and grains.
The couple continued to
live on their farm until
moving to Rugby 17 years
ago. Walter then went to
work at Heart of America
Ag Services as a fertilizer
applicator and later as a
seed salesman. He valued
his customers and en-
joyed serving them.
Walter and Matilda
“Tillie” were married for
60 years. She died on Oc-
tober 3, 2014.
Walter was a man of
faith and enjoyed God’s
gifts of family and nature.
He enjoyed fishing, espe-
cially ice fishing and was
also a hunter and did
some gun collecting and
trading over the years.
Walter was a small air-
craft pilot and owned a
personal plane, with spe-
cial friend Delmer, that he
flew out of his farmyard,
providing his grandchil-
dren with their first air-
plane rides. He was
proud of his farm and his
family, had a good sense
of humor and liked to
tease and laugh with
them. His secret talents,
including playing guitar,
accordion and harmonica.
Walter loved visiting and
spent much of his time
with neighbors, friends
and family sharing stories
and catching up on the lo-
cal farm, fishing and
hunting news. He en-
joyed people’s company
and helping them, even
after he retired he would
help out other farmers.
Walter spent many hours
driving the country roads,
looking at the fields and
day dreaming. He often
said, he had a good life
and was able to spend his
last days with all of his
children. Walter was
loved by many and will be
missed.
Walter is survived by:
his six children, Marge
Jordan of Rugby, Sheila
(Tim) Ostrem of Rugby,
Sandy (Byron) Thompson
of Omaha, Nebraska,
Wayne (Lavon) Schmaltz
of Rugby, Renita Bowman
of Kersey, Colorado and
David (Trish) Schmaltz of
Farmington, Minnesota;
grandchildren, Stacy
(Chad) Duchscher, Jamie
Jordan, Carrie Ostrem,
Dale Ostrem, Kristi (Ja-
son) Gibbs, Kelly (Jared)
Wollheiser, Heather
Schmaltz (Scott), Travis
Schmaltz (Amber), Melis-
sa (Kyle) Bohl, Anna
(Austin) Whipple, Katie
(Matt) Van Deraa, Evan
Bowman, Kyle Bowman,
Taylor (Tyler) Weyer,
Courtney Schmaltz and
Jordan Schmaltz; 25 great
grandchildren; brother,
Philip Schmaltz of Fargo;
nieces, nephews; other re-
latives and friends.
He was preceded in
death by: his wife and
five brothers and three
sisters, John, Raymond,
Daniel, Tony, Bernadine,
Ann McDonald and
Theresa Vrubleskis.
Mass of Christian buri-
al was held at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Lit-
tle Flower Catholic
Church in Rugby with
burial in the church
cemetery. Father John
Aerts, Celebrant
Organist: Angie De-
plazes
Vocal leader/Cantor:
James Maertens
Readers: Christi Gibbs
and Jordan Schmaltz
Gift Bearers: Kyle and
Melissa Bohl Family
Casket Bearers: Dale
Ostrem, Travis Schmaltz,
Evan and Kyle Bowman,
Steve Schneider, Bob
Keller, Danny Brossart
and Joe Schmaltz
Honorary Bearers: Del-
mer Fandrich, Philip
Schmaltz, Louie Schiele,
Joe Mitzel, Bill Finley,
Chad and Stacy Duchsch-
er.
Arrangements with the
Anderson Funeral Home
of Rugby. Online registry:
www.funeralsby
anderson.com