Joseph Walter

Joseph "Joe" Francis Walter, age 96, of Redwood Falls MN, formerly of Clements MN, passed away on Sunday August 30, 2026, at River Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center in Redwood Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Friday, September 4, 2026, at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Redwood Falls, with a luncheon to follow at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic cemetery in Clements MN after the luncheon. A visitation will be held from 5pm until 7pm on Thursday, September 3, 2026 with rosary at 6:30pm and prayer service at 7pm at the Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Redwood Falls. Visitation will continue one hour prior to mass at the church. Live stream broadcast: https://ww.youtube.come/@LOWAFC/streams.

Joseph "Joe" Francis Walter was born August 5, 1930 on the family farm in rural Clements to Joseph P Walter and Magdalen "Lena" (Heiling) Walter.

Joe was baptized and received his first holy communion and confirmation at St Joseph's Catholic church in Clements MN. He was the oldest of 4 children and attended country school until 8th grade. He then farmed the family farm his whole life. He met Maryann Kazmierzcak at the wedding of his brother Jerome and her sister Scholastica. Joe and Maryann were married November 29 1958. Together they raised seven children on the family farm. He instilled faith and hard work in his children. After retiring from farming, Joe worked seasonally for the Redwood County highway department and for Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative. After Maryann passed away on August 9,1986, Joseph met and married Rita Filzen on October 29, 1988. Rita passed away on May 4, 2023. Joe was strong in his faith. He believed in never working on Sunday and enjoyed visiting with his many relatives, playing cards and bingo, visiting local historical sites, attending parades, church festivals and listening to old time music. He loved sweet treats, especially strawberry malts and anything chocolate.

Joseph is survived by children Ed Walter of Clements MN, Eugene (Nancy) Walter of Cologne MN, Bernard (Mary) Walter of Burnsville MN, Monica (Randy) Kirchberg of New Ulm MN, Helen (Joe) Andries of Marshall MN, Lois (Matt) Rengel of Sartell MN and Grace (Wade) Dunkley of St Louis Park MN; stepchildren: Gregory (Linda) Filzen, Patricia (Darwin) Kutzorik, Daniel Filzen, Robert (Rindy) Filzen, Joyce Eckel and Nancy Grossman; brother Jim Walter, sister Mary Schunk, sister-in-law Darlene Kazmierczak; 37 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Maryann, his second wife Rita, his brother Jerome, stepchildren Monica Glazier, Jeff Filzen and David Filzen, grandchildren Tammy L. Bergstrom and Daniel J. Filzen, and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Morgan and Redwood Falls are in charge of the arrangements. Email condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com.

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers of River Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center and CentraCare Home Health & Hospice for the excellent care of Joe over these past few years.

Blessed be his memory.