Walter N. Stumpf

Walter Nicholas Stumpf, 91 years old, was born in Nashua, Minnesota on May 1, 1933. He was the son of Anna Mae Bullis and Nicholas John Stumpf with four siblings. He was called to eternal life on March 5, 2025, after a full day attending Mass and celebrating Mardi Gras at Dickson Hollow Senior Living in Menomonee Falls, WI, where he passed away peacefully.

Walter was married August 30, 1958, to LaVonne Jerome from Lancaster, MN. They met at the Newman Club at the University of Minnesota, where LaVonne graduated Saint Catherine’s College of Nursing in St. Paul. They were married 57 years before LaVonne passed away in 2016.

Walter was the proud father of five children: Patrick Stumpf (Stephanie), Catherine O’Connor, Joan Mahon (Lawrence), Mary Pesch (Thomas), and Elizabeth Pesch (Andrew). Beloved grandfather to Michaela Mahon, Josephine Pesch, Adam Pesch, Nicholas Pesch, Jack Pesch, Isaiah Pesch and Lizzie Pesch. Four of his children, all the grandchildren, and one sibling, Ellen Bjornlie, survive him. His parents, wife LaVonne, daughter Catherine, brothers Lawrence and John, and sister Marvis preceded him in death.

Walter grew up on a dairy farm with Holstein cows, pigs, chickens, and horses. Going to church was a central theme – from dressing up in Sunday best during his farm days to volunteering as a Lector and Eucharistic minister throughout his life. Walt practiced and loved his Catholic faith. He was a talented craftsman and created ceramic wedding cups used as a chalice for each married couple in the family on their wedding day. Formed of clay and fired in the kiln, Walt painted the names in blue with a gold wedding symbol for a handmade gift cherished by each family.

Walter enlisted in the Army Security Agency in 1952 and served in the Korean War stationed in Okinawa, Japan to intercept code. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Walt graduated from the University of Minnestota with a degree in agricultural engineering and machine design in 1960.

His 36-year work experience was in the field of design and manufacturing of agricultural, construction and mining equipment. His career spanned companies beginning with Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee and Indiana, and he eventually relocated to Peoria, Illinois as a leader for Quality Assurance at Komatsu America Corporation. His career culminated in the management of a start-up Joint Venture of Komatsu and UNEX where he lived in the Czech Republic with LaVonne. They embraced the challenges of everyday living and enjoyed adventurous travels across Europe for two and a half years.

After retirement, Walt became a handyman ranking high on Angie’s List. His problem-solving abilities and ingenuity came together to complete renovations and make repairs. He relished the opportunity to design and build something entirely new including chicken coops, a playground in Suzhou, China for his grandsons, and a colossal Cardboard Museum on the site of a Long Island Gold Coast mansion. With his friendly nature he would walk around wearing a tool belt, sharing stories. Ever industrious, one of Walt’s favorite sayings was “I can do that while I’m resting.”

The last eight years of his life, Walt moved to Dickson Hollow Senior Living Center where he met a wonderful companion, Mary Dalton, who was treated as family. They were committed to each other sharing time, meals, and activities such as the Dickson Hollow players, and sing-a-longs with Mary playing the piano. Mary Dalton passed away in November of last year.

Services will be held on Monday, March 24, 2025, with visitation from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Dominic Parish, 18255 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin. Private family inurnment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity in support of a charity in which Walter gave his time and talent.