Walter J. Dietrich, 86 of Kiel, passed to eternal life on Feb 25, 2011 at the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center where he had resided since June 2008 due to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. He was born in St. Nazianz on May 10, 1924 to the late William and Minnie (Gutman) Dietrich. He grew up in St. Nazianz and graduated from Valders High School in 1942. He proudly served in the US Navy during World War II as a Ship Fitter aboard the USS Denebola AD 12, a destroyer/submarine repair ship. He was active in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Pacific theaters. On Oct 26, 1946 he married Elleen M. Pfluger at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Brillion. They resided in Kiel, Wisconsin where Wally worked as a journeyman sheet metal fabricator at Household Utilities, Inc. (now HUI) until he retired in 1986. Walter was a member of SS Peter and Paul Parish, served as President of the Holy Name Society, member of the St Joseph the Worker Knights of Columbus Council 5539 (served as Grand Knight). He was also a member of the Kiel Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6707. Walter became one of the first adult Mass servers in 1964 and functioned as a lay Lector for many years. He was an Extra Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist and visited the sick and home bound. Walter also held office in the SS Peter and Paul Home School Association. He and his wife, Elleen, enjoyed traveling, often joining friends at his naval ship reunions. A skilled craftsman, Wally applied his knowledge of design and familiarity with hand tools to wood working and made a variety of useful and decorative items out of all types of wood. He never charged for his projects but gave them away to friends and family. He also enjoyed gardening, swimming, reading and playing sheepshead. Survivors include his beloved wife and companion, Elleen; and his 3 sons, John Dietrich (Theresa), San Diego, CA; Ronald (Judy), rural Chilton; Allen (Linda), La Crosse; and 2 daughters Mary (Walt) Peters, Springbrook,WI; and Ann (Gerry) Klapperich, New Holstein; a third daughter, Kristine died in Dec 2009. Walter has 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his 2 sisters, Millie Berkey, Kewaunee; and Loretta (Etta) Sacharski, Chicago; and his brother Harold (Mary) Dietrich, Brillion sister-in-law Beattie Dietrich-Pritzl, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Norbert, his sister Jeanette Russnak, and brothers-in-law, Michael Russnak, James Sacharski and Al Berkey. The family extends their appreciation to the entire staff of the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center for the extraordinary loving care provided to Wally. Also thank you to the Home and Hospice Advantage personnel (Sheboygan) for assisting the family in Walters final days. Funeral Mass for Walter will be held on Friday March 4, 2011 at 11:30am at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kiel With the Rev Loren Nys officiating and Parish Director Joe Zenk and Deacon Pat Knier assisting. Friends may call at the Church on Friday from 9:00am until 11:15am when we will have brief family rites. Burial in the Parish Cemetery with full military honors performed by the Kiel VFW. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made in Wally's name to The Salvatorian Mission Warehouse (New Holstein) or St. Vincent de Paul Society (SS Peter and Paul Parish, Kiel).