Lillian Wipf Walter was born October 10, 1924, at Onida, South Dakota, to Zack B. and Anna (Wollman) Wipf.  When Lillian was 4 years old, her family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, so her father could attend seminary.  Lillian received all of her years of education attending St. Paul schools.  Lillian accepted Jesus as her Savior under her father's ministry, and her mother, Anna, led her to the Lord when she was 8 years old.  Lillian was very active in her church youth group and sang in the choir, in many different small groups, and in a trio with her two sisters, Edna and Adeline.

On April 28, 1933, Lillian's mother suddenly passed away, leaving three daughters.  Her father married Matilda Waldner on September 4, 1934.  This union was blessed with three daughters and a son:  Rita, Jane, Rose, and Zack.

Lillian moved to Yale, South Dakota, in 1940.  She was baptized and became a member of the Bethel Mennonite Brethren Church of Yale.  She taught Sunday school, participated in Women's Missionary Society, and was the Sunday school secretary for many years.

On October 3, 1942, Lillian married Marvin H. Walter at his parent's home near Yale.  They were married by her uncle, Rev. Joe E. Wipf, and Marvin's mother prepared the meal of sauerkraut and stew.  They moved to a farm north of Yale and lived there for 30 years.  In 1972, the family moved to Great Bend, Kansas, where Lillian worked at Fuller Brush Company and Zip's Gas Station as a bookkeeper.  Marvin and Lillian celebrated their 50 ^th wedding anniversary in 1992.  They moved back to Huron in May, 1994, due to Marvin's failing health with Parkinsons.

Lillian's faith in God was evident in every aspect of her life.  Her deep love and concern for her family and friends were demonstrated by her ministry of being a constant prayer warrior and consistently sending greeting cards with encouraging messages for all occasions.  She cherished visits and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Lillian loved reading with the Bible being her favorite book.  Her life verse was Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."   Christian education was an important part of her life, and she avidly supported James Valley Christian School with much prayer and resources.  Lillian loved having company and visiting.  She enjoyed sports and watching her favorite teams:  the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Kansas Jayhawks.

Lillian, at the age of 96 years and 2 weeks, was welcomed into her heavenly home on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Avantara-Huron.

Grateful for having shared her life are her sons, Errol (Bonnie) Walter of Huron and Marty (Karla) Walter of Conway, Arkansas; 8 grandchildren:  Michelle (Kevin) Peterson of Leawood, Kansas; Jeremy (Kristi) Wallman of Yale; Ryan (Dorothy) Walter of Suffolk, Virginia; Rusty (Tina) Wallman of Medina, Minnesota;  Derek (Lauren) Walter of Conway, Arkansas; Beau Walter of Sherwood, Arkansas; Mica Walter of Conway, Arkansas; and Blake Walter of Conway, Arkansas; 16 great-grandchildren:  Luke, Morgan, Jada, Nolan, and Eleanor Peterson of Leawood, Kansas; Landon and Jerrad Wallman of Yale; Lily, Noah, Emelia, Oliver, Levi, and Annalise Walter of Suffolk, Virginia; and Barrett, Grant, and Delaney Wallman of Medina, Minnesota; a son-in-law, Willard Wallman of Huron; and 2 sisters,  Jane (Dennis) Decker and Rose (Eugene) Brenner, all of Huron.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1994; her daughters, Jeanette "Jan" Wallman in 2003 and Nita Walter in 2019; 3 sisters: Edna and Christy Hofer, Rita and Eddie Lehman, and Adeline and Eli Walter; 1 brother, Zack and Sherry (Freng) Wipf, and 2 brothers-in-law, Ted and Marge (Hofer) Walter and Capt. Joseph and Kathryn (Kenny) Walter.

A private family graveside service was held at the Bethel Mennonite Brethren Church Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life being planned for next summer.

Memorials may be directed to James Valley Christian School .

View Lillian's Floral Arrangements