Walter Edwin Waechter

Walter Edwin Waechter, 88 died Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at the Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, Kansas. He was born July 3, 1927 on the family farm on the 71 Ranch in the Menno Community in Kearny County the son of Leland & Della (Elliott) Waechter.
Walter has lived most of his life on the 71 Ranch in the Menno Community. He attended high school at the St. John’s Lutheran School in Winfield, Kansas where he graduated in 1945. Walter returned to Kearny County where he farmed for a couple of years before attending a semester at Kansas State University. He then returned to the Menno Community where he worked as a lifetime farmer and rancher. He enjoyed is work on the farm, watching baseball, roping, square dancing, playing cards and spending time with his grandchildren. Walter was a member of Immanuel Luther Church in Lakin. He also served as an Elder at Grace Lutheran Church. He also served on the Farmer’s Co-op Board, the Southwest Kansas Royalty Owners Board, the Lakin Grade School Board, served on FSA committees, the Fair Board, Extension Board, and served as a 4-H Leader.
On September 4, 1949, he married Fern G. Moore in Lakin, Kansas. She died on June 13, 2013. Walter is also preceded in death by a brother Carl Waechter; a grandson Caleb Koszewski, and a Son-In-Law John Koszewski. Survivors include three daughters Linda Koszewski of Arlington, Tx., Janey & husband P.J. Sullivan of Lakin, Ks., and Janet & husband Alvin Holmes of Lakin, Ks.; two sons Kenneth & wife Gwen Waechter of Lakin, Ks. and Lyle & wife Karen Waechter of Ulysses, Ks.; a brother Harold Waechter of Amarillo, Tx.; two sisters Laura Heeke of Colorado Springs, Co. and Freda McVey of Seward, Ne.; 16 Grandchildren; and 12 Great Grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakin, Kansas with Rev. Dennis Mason officiating. Burial will follow at the Lakin Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Garnand Funeral Home in Lakin. The family request memorials given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Kearny County Ministerial Alliance, or the Kearny County Historical Society all in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Lakin.