Eileen Hattie Walz, 89, of Monona, died Monday, November 26, 2018, at Crossing Rivers Health, Prairie du Chien, WI, following a brief illness.
Eileen was born on May 13, 1929, at Garnavillo, IA, to Arthur F. and Frances (Cords) Buckman. She received her education in the country school, graduating from Elkader High School and Elkader Junior College. Eileen taught country school in Communia. She was united in marriage to Norbert “Bud” Walz on December 23, 1948, at St. Joseph Catholic Church,
Elkader. Four children were born to this union. Bud and Eileen spent their entire life farming and feeding cattle, a passion they both loved. There was not a piece of farm equipment that Eileen could not operate and if there was, she learned how.
Family was everything to her. She loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed the visits from all of them. She was a very caring person and always had a smile for everyone. Eileen loved to crochet and knit and sew, giving many gifts and always donating to St. Joseph Crafters for their annual sale. She thrived on helping others – she was so community minded. 4-H was forever her passion. For a number of years she had the opportunity to work with the special needs children at school – a gift that she treasured. Eileen and Bud spent many happy hours working on and with the Clayton County Fair Board. The couple were members of the Clayton County Cattlemen. She especially loved the years when she was secretary in charge of keeping track of the boats and campers as they came in for storage for the winter and going out in the spring.
Survivors include her four children, Clara (Denis) Lensing, Postville; Mike (Debra) Walz, Monona, Susan (Larry) Sather, Glasgow, MT and Dean (Melissa) Walz, Farmersburg; fourteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; a brother, Don (Donna) Buckman, Elkader and many friends..
Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; parents A.F. and Frances Buckman; and mother and father-in-law, Jake and Clara Walz.
Visitation: 8:30 to 10:00 AM, Friday, November 30, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garnavillo.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00AM Friday, November 30, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garnavillo.
Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Elkader, Iowa
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com