Walter R. Leiker, 83 of Austin, Minn., formerly of San Diego, Calif., died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Sacred Heart Care Center, Austin, Minn. after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Walter Raymond Leiker was born on March 17, 1929, at Ellis, Kan., to Alex and Rosa (Unrein) Leiker; he was the youngest of 10 children. He graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego, Calif., and received a BBA from National University. Walter was a gas turbine design engineer for 36 years with Solar Turbines, Inc., retiring in 1985. After retirement, he worked at Northrop Grumman Corp. for five years as a design engineer.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alex P. and Rosa Leiker, ex-wife Betty Leiker, daughter Beth Leiker, brothers Aloysius Leiker, Joseph Leiker, Father Alexander Leiker, Nicholas Leiker, August Leiker, William Leiker, Anthony Leiker and his sister Eleanor Iwankovitsch.

Walter is survived by his daughter, Kim Peterson and her husband Wayne of Dexter, Minn.; son: Steve Leiker and his wife Dee of Somerset, Calif.; grandchildren: Chelsie Peterson of Dexter, Minn., Erin Leiker of Burbank, Calif., and Colin Leiker of Chico, Calif.; brother: Rudolph Leiker and his wife Joyce of San Diego, Calif.; nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is assisting with arrangements.