Waltner, Willard H. 1909-2011

Newton Kansan obituary: 2011 May 13

Birth date: 1909 Sep 10

Text of obituary:

Willard H. Waltner

Willard H. Waltner, of North Newton, died on Tuesday (May 10, 2011) at the age of 101.

He was born on Sept. 10, 1909, in Freeman, S. D., to Emil J. Waltner and Mary Goering Waltner. On Aug. 8, 1931, he married Florence Adelia Leigh in Santee, Neb.

Willard lived most of his life in the Freeman rea, operating a dairy farm and then working as a freelance photo-journalist. He and Florence moved to Kidron Bethel Village in 1994.

He graduated from Yankton College in South Dakota, where he was active in the Conservatory of Music. A life-long member of Salem Mennonite Church in Freeman, he taught Sunday school, served as a deacon and directed the Men's Chorus for more than 25 years.

Since moving to Kansas, he attended Bethel College Mennonite Church, where he particularly appreciated the music and the fellowship of his Sunday school class.

Survivors include two daughters and their husbands, Winona and Leslie Senner of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Dianne and Anthony Epp of North Newton; four grandchildren, Christopher Senner, Kerry Ferris and spouse, Randy, Alain Epp Weaver and spouse, Sonia, Rachel Epp Buller and spouse, Tim; and five great-grandchildren, Samuel and Katherine Epp Weaver, and also Daniel, Daisy and Lucy Buller.