Melvin Walter

Melvin Ray Walter, age 80 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at Getty Street Assisted Living in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 17 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Friday all at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Melvin Walter was born on December 20, 1945, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, to Joseph and Eleanor (Winter) Walter. He graduated from Sauk Centre High School and went on to serve in the Army National Guard. After completing his military service, Melvin returned home and started working for Hanson’s Silo Company building silos and then purchased the home farm in Sauk Centre. On September 3, 1966, he married Sharon Kilanowski at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Long Prairie. Together they raised their three sons.

Melvin was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. He enjoyed attending auctions, bowling, deer hunting, tractor pulling, and taking his treasured 1931 Model A for a drive. After retiring from farming, he and Sharon operated a taxi service in Willmar. Above all, Melvin cherished spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include his sons, Todd Walter of Willmar and Troy Walter of Sauk Centre; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Walter of Sauk Centre; grandchildren, Jennifer (Myron) Kottschade of Swanville, Nikki (Darren) Thompson of Sauk Centre, Amanda (David) Blaskowski of Esko, Megan (Jordan) Kohnen of Hewitt, Brittney (Ben) Jordan of Swanville, and Corey Walter of Sauk Centre; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Joann Mielke of Willmar, Alan (Elaine) Walter of Sauk Centre, Gene (Deb) Walter of Sauk Centre, Vern (Margaret) Walter of Sauk Centre, and Mark (special friend, Lois) Walter of Sauk Centre; sisters-in-law, Sharon Walter and Marion Walter; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Walter; son, Tim Walter; parents, Joseph and Eleanor Walter; grandson, Matthew Walter; great-grandson, Maverick Thompson, brothers, Dave Walter and Harold Walter, sister, Kathy (Donny) Marthaler, and brother-in-law, Glenn Mielke.