Walter Wacker, age 88 of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Turtle Lake, ND, died Sunday, April 23, 2006 at the Avera McKennan Hospice in Sioux Falls, following a short illness.

Funeral Services: 1:30 PM Wednesday, April 26, 2006;
Turtle Lake Baptist Church - Turtle Lake, ND;
Dr. Charles Hiatt & Rev. Graham Kern, Officiating;
Interment: Turtle Lake Cemetery;
Visitation: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Tuesday at Goetz Funeral Home - Turtle Lake;
Wednesday, 1 hour prior to time of service at the church.

Walter E. Wacker was born April 17, 1918 at Turtle Lake, ND the son of Philip & Eva (Mittleider) Wacker. He graduated from Turtle Lake High School and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, the North Dakota National Guard, and the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Verdyne E. Thoreson, also of Turtle Lake, on October 9, 1943 at Glendive, MT. In 1945, Walter and Verdyne were both baptized at Brush Lake, north of Mercer, ND. They farmed near Turtle Lake for two years before Walter started his career as a master carpenter. He built numerous homes in Turtle Lake and Bismarck, as well as homes in Colorado and Idaho. He later entered the sales field and retired from Capp Homes International at the age of 62. Walter and Verdyne started a retirement business of creating and selling collapsible oak baskets. They attended many craft shows around the upper Midwest and made of host of friends. They satisfied many customers with their unique creations of oak baskets and Intarsia wood art products. At the age of 78, Walter completed his ultimate woodworking masterpiece, six grandfather clocks made for his children. Verdyne also assisted in this project by performing all the wood finishing. Walter and Verdyne moved to Sioux Falls, SD in April 2003.

Walter is survived by his loving Wife of 62 years, Verdyne Wacker of Sioux Falls, SD;
2 Sons: Jay (Linda) Wacker of Bismarck, ND, & Paul (Donna) Wacker of Turtle Lake, ND; 4 Daughters: Dee Wacker of Sioux Falls, SD, Janelle (Dr. Charles) Hiatt of Sioux Falls, SD, Melody (Arnold) Schopp of Meadow, SD, & Gay (Jeff) Anderson of Sioux Falls, SD; 11 Grandchildren: Tim (Melissa) Hiatt, Jon (Stephanie) Hiatt, Aaron Hiatt,
Dr. Heather Schopp, Stephen Schopp, Michael Wacker, Sarah Anderson, Karmen Anderson, Zachary Anderson, Lorea Wacker, & Ethan Wacker; 4 Great-Grandchildren: Joseph Hiatt, Lily Hiatt, Tyler Hiatt, & Caleb Hiatt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters (Esther Johnson & Edna Wagner), & brother (Edwin Wacker).

Memorial are preferred to the North American Baptist Seminary, 1525 S. Grange Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57105; or the Avera McKennan Hospice Building Fund, 800 E. 21st St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105.