Walter Hinnenkamp

Walter P. Hinnenkamp, age 85, of Melrose, died from cancer on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 9 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Veterans Honor Guard will pray at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. Friday evening.

Walter P. Hinnenkamp, one of twelve children, was born July 16, 1921 in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Herman and Margaret (Buschmann) Hinnenkamp. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific Theater aboard the destroyer, U.S. Sproston from 1942 to 1946 and as a Wheelsman on the ore boats of the USS Steel out of Duluth for 24 years before retiring in 1980. Walter lived in New Munich, St. Joseph, and the last 25 years, at his retirement home on 40 acres north of Melrose. Walter thrived as the captain of the 40 acres of "Wally's World" where the orchard, garden, and trees grew in profusion if not with precision and where he often toiled till dark in the bottomless pit of a meadow. The deer, pheasants, ducks, and those dastardly rabbits were the main beneficiaries of his labors and visions. Also, anyone who ventured on the premises was usually rewarded with the use of his time, labor, and/or production of his orchard, garden, and giant rhubarb. During the last six weeks, he was under the able and nurturing care of the Hospice programs in Sauk Centre and Albany, and the kind and generous staff at the assisted living Das Goldene Wohnheim in New Munich, Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, and the Melrose Hospital. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050, and American Legion Post 101.

Survivors include his sisters and brothers, Hildegard Knops of Gilbert, AZ, Luella Williams of Prescott Valley, AZ, Arthur Hinnenkamp and his wife, Luella of Brooklyn Center, Herman Hinnenkamp of Melrose, Margaret Eiynck and her husband, Eberhard "Shorty" of Gilbert, AZ, Virginia Caspers and her husband, Raymond of Chula Vista, CA, Wilfred Hinnenkamp and his wife, Donna of Meire Grove, and Harold Hinnenkamp and his wife, Carol of Maple Lake; and many nieces and nephews.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rosalia Wieber, and Lucille Loecken; and brother, Erwin Hinnenkamp. Serving as casket bearers will be Brian Hinnenkamp, Mike Hinnenkamp, Todd Hinnenkamp, Ron Loecken, Chad Rowe, and Joe Wieber.

Serving as cross bearer will be Jay Hinnenkamp. Gift bearers will be Virginia Caspers and Marge Eiynck. Lectors will be Donna Hinnenkamp and Keri Hinnenkamp. Mass server will be Anthony Niehaus. Eucharistic Minister will be Carol Niehaus. Honorary bearers will be Ed Budde, Alan Dufner, Val Gieske, Andrew Hinnenkamp, Donald Hinnenkamp, Robert Hinnenkamp, Anthony Niehaus, Ed Niehaus, Kevin Viere, Robert Welters, and Ralph Wessel.