Gertrude "Gert" J. Walter

August 15, 1934 - March 9, 2020

Gertrude “Gert” J. Walter, age 85, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Monday, March 9, 2020 in Richland Center. She was born August 15, 1934, in Rockbridge Township to Clifford and Hattie (Bryant) Tadder. She graduated from Richland Center High School in 1952 and later from Richland Center Teachers College in 1954 with an associate degree in elementary education. She married Austin Leroy Walter in 1955. Together they raised 6 children. She was a long time member of Peace United Methodist Church. After taking the time to raise her family, she worked for the Richland Center Public Schools for 29 years as a food service worker, eventually working her way up to head cook, a position she held until her retirement in 2002. After retirement she volunteered selling tickets before high school events, at the Richland Hospital, and various other places to support the church and community. She was a great homemaker and hard worker, whether it be making a variety of pies, cookies, sweet treats, wonderful home cooked meals, and working meticulously around her yard and garden. Later in life she met and became best friends and soulmate with Don Kitsembel. She and Don worked hard on the farm up Willow Valley near Ithaca. When Don wasn’t busy at the milk house and the barn, they both enjoyed the cabin and camping area that they had tucked away in the valley, something that they shared with friends and family. It got to be such a peaceful and wonderful place that they rented it out on a weekly basis. They also enjoyed the Richland Center Farmer’s Market selling their goodies from both the garden and the kitchen. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to all. She is survived by her children, Keven Walter of La Crosse, Kent (Shelly Pauls) Walter of Gotham, Kristi (Kevin) Pine of Richland Center, Kraig (Carla) Walter of Stoughton, Kelly Bess of Richland Center, 18 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren with 1 more on the way, and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by a son Kurt Walter, her husband Leroy Walter, her soulmate Don Kitsembel, granddaughter Jillian Walter, twin great granddaughters Kylie and Kloe Oman, a brother Clifford Jr, 4 sisters, Mary Alice, Harriet, Margaret, and Clara, and many relatives and friends. A Celebration of Gert’s Life will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 4:00 PM at the Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center. Burial will be held at a later date. Friends may call on Sunday, March 15, 2020, from Noon until the time of services. Memorials can be made to the family. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Richland Hospital, Meriter Hospital, UW Hospital and Clinics, and Upland Hills Hospice for their care and kindness over these last few months.