Roger James Walsh, 96
Published 9:56 am Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Roger James Walsh, 96, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2015, at Sacred Heart Care Center.
Walsh
Roger was born May 19, 1919, in Lyle, Minnesota, to Clarence and Theresa (Murphy) Walsh. He attended a one-room school house in Lyle Township through eighth grade, always ranked “first in his class” since he was the only one. He graduated from Lyle High School in 1936.
He enlisted in the Army in January 1941 expecting to return home the following January. The slogan for military service was, “So long dear, I will be back in a year.” However, with the start of WWII, his plans changed. Roger spent the next four years with the heralded U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division fighting across North Africa, Sicily, Italy, southern France, Austria and Germany. Roger returned home as Staff Sergeant Walsh on Aug. 14, 1945.
On Sept. 25, 1945, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Heimer in Johnsburg, Minnesota. The couple moved to Austin where Roger worked as a master plumber and pipe-fitter for Williams Plumbing and Heating for 20 years. In 1965, he joined the “pipe shop” at the Hormel Company, retiring in 1981.
He was an active member at Queens of Angels for many years and later at St. Augustine.
Roger enjoyed farming, gardening, reading about history, traveling with Betty, woodworking and playing cards. In his heart he always remained a farm boy. He loved sharing stories with his family and always looked forward to visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Walsh
Survivors include Betty, his wife of nearly 70 years; children: Nancy (Craig) Welken, Plymouth, Daryl (Susan) Walsh, Plymouth, Gayle (Michael Martello) Walsh, Pacific Grove, Californai, Allyn (Sheila) Walsh, Rochester, Sarah (Mike) Landherr, Austin, Jayne (Mark) Schneider, Apple Valley; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter Janel; grandson Alex; one brother and three sisters.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. There will be a 5 p.m. Rosary on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post No. 105 and V.F.W. Post No. 1216. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Augustine Catholic Church, Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Care Center, or a charity of donor’s choice. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.