Ethel L. Walter

Ethel Louise (Hill) Walter, of Milwaukee, born to eternal life on November 5, 2025, at the age of 96.

Beloved wife of the late Earl for 71 years, cherished Mom of Judy (Kurt) Ruehrmund of Menomonee Falls and Kris (Chuck) Puls of Brookfield. Ethel was a very special Aunt to her Heidtke nephews and nieces: Keith (Kandee) of West Bend, Rev. Gail of Palatine, IL, Susan of Jackson, and Joel (Wendy) of Cedarburg, plus their loving children and grandchildren, who are like grandchildren to Ethel: Andrew (Elizabeth) Heidtke, Beth (Jason) Boche and Maya (Mike) Myszka, and their children: Juliette, Charlotte, Noah, Henry, Joelle and Jack. Ethel is also survived by her Luther Manor friends and St. Paul’s church family. She was preceded in death by her dear husband Earl in 2024, her parents Henry and Louise Hill, her sister Janet Heidtke and brothers-in-law, Fred Heidtke and Kenneth Walter.

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Ethel was a devoted and delightful wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend; quick with a smile, a kind greeting and a helping hand. She loved God and served His church and her family with joy all the days of her life.

Born on December 11, 1928, Ethel was the second of two daughters to Henry and Louise (Kurth) Hill. She was born and raised in Milwaukee on 22nd & Keefe, and baptized and confirmed at Hephatha Lutheran Church, where her parents were active and faithful members. As was common for young people of that era, she took accordion lessons.

A 1946 graduate of Rufus King High School in Milwaukee, Ethel went on to attend Milwaukee Secretarial School, followed by employment at Lutheran Hospital where she was the secretary to the hospital president. In her young adult years, Ethel was active in Luther League, as a member and in leadership, and was even named “Lutheran Girl of the Month”. At a Luther League event in 1948, Ethel met Earl Walter. They began dating following a toboggan party, and became sweethearts. They married on February 14, 1953, at Hephatha, just weeks after Earl returned home after serving overseas in the U.S. Army the preceding year. Earl and Ethel began their married life in Milwaukee on 51st Street, near Locust, upstairs from Earl’s parents. Ethel joined Earl at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, on 28th& Wisconsin Avenue, where Earl was a 5th generation member. They moved to Racine for a few years for Earl’s job, and returned to Milwaukee, living 61 years in a home they built on 52nd Street, near Good Hope. There they raised their two daughters, enjoyed many gatherings of friends and family, and spent countless hours tending to vegetable and flower gardens, enjoying the yard and watching the birds. In 2018, Earl and Ethel moved to the Terrace at Luther Manor, an apartment on the lovely campus on 92nd Street in Wauwatosa. Her daughters are thrilled that this apartment turned into a comfortable and memorable home, where Ethel was able to remain after Earl’s passing. Her apartment was filled with bird décor, family memorabilia and photos, and had a balcony that hosted bird feeders, flowers and an annual tomato plant.

Ethel was a wonderful homemaker. She worked diligently to create a Christian home filled with love. Her daughters’ spiritual growth and education were always a priority to her. Despite spending countless hours driving to music lessons, choir rehearsals, swimming lessons, and school and church events, she still had a home-cooked dinner on the table every night for the family to share together. Hospitality was one of Ethel’s gifts. She loved hosting family gatherings and dinner parties, and created some wonderful specialty dishes and desserts. She always made her daughters’ friends feel welcome, hosting many get-togethers and birthday parties, providing snacks and creating an atmosphere of warmth and joy. Over the years, she baked hundreds of batches of brownies for school events, birthday treats, potluck suppers, family celebrations, and care packages. She also perfected a legendary chip dip that has remained a beloved family favorite for four generations.

Ethel faithfully served in many ways throughout her 72 years of membership at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She dedicated innumerable hours to leading the Women’s Organization and coordinated hundreds of church meals, Easter breakfasts and “coffee hours”. She served on committees, the Altar Guild, and as a money counter. In her earlier years, Ethel directed children’s Christmas programs, and prepared and taught many Sunday School lessons. She worked on the church staff as both secretary and newsletter editor, sharing her time and talents with the ministry she loved. Being part of a church choir was always an important part of Ethel’s life. As a young girl, she sang in the choir at Hephatha Lutheran Church. After joining St. Paul’s, Ethel continued her love of music by singing in their choir, with Earl directing. After moving to Luther Manor, Earl and Ethel joined the Terrace Singers, a choir of Luther Manor apartment residents, where they made many new friends and found joy in singing together. Even in her last year, when she was no longer in a choir, Ethel could often be heard humming hymns throughout the day—an enduring reflection of the songs of joy that always filled her heart.

Ethel loved family vacations—from the many trips to New York City to visit Earl’s brother Ken, to family road trips across the United States when the girls were young, to later adventures that included ocean cruises and, in her late seventies, a memorable visit to Germany. Yet no trip ever compared to the family’s cherished week “up north” on Little St. Germain Lake, a beloved tradition for more than 50 years. There, they spent their days fishing and boating, enjoying the peaceful lake views, and indulging in German hard rolls and apple fritters from the St. Germain Bakery.

Ethel was a special person to many beyond her husband, daughters, and parents. She especially loved welcoming into the family her sons-in-law, whom she adored and with whom she delighted in watching Green Bay Packers games. To her nieces and nephews, she was their beloved “Wesie”,  and they treasured every moment spent with her—as she did with them. To the members of St. Paul’s over the years, she was a dependable leader and a sister in faith. To her friends at Luther Manor, she was a loyal companion and a joyful presence at the dinner table. And to her medical providers and the Luther Manor Supportive Living care team, she was a gracious and appreciative patient, consistently endearing herself to all who cared for her. Ethel cherished connecting with others—whether through family, lifelong friendships, neighborhood gatherings, exercise classes, her church, or the Luther Manor community.

In her last year, she treasured daily visits from her daughters as they helped her with walking, housework, and newspaper puzzles. Ethel’s family is thankful to her care team from Froedtert and Aurora Home Care, and to the dedicated staff at Luther Manor, especially those who helped her remain in her apartment this past year. Ethel lived a joyful 96 years, remaining vibrant until the end and confident in the promise of eternal life with her Savior, Jesus.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM followed by a Memorial Service at 12:00 PM.

Memorials appreciated to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (2812 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee), Luther Manor Foundation, or the church/charity of your choice.