Walter J. Swartzer, age 90 of The Lighthouse of Waconia, formerly of Watertown passed away peacefully Monday, September 12, 2016 surrounded by family. He was born on October 31, 1925 in Woodland Township, Wright County, Minnesota to George and Susan (Gallus) Swartzer.

Walt graduated from Delano High School. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He was united in marriage on October 4, 1952 to Irene E. Salonek at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown, Minnesota. Walt was employed at Minnesota Rubber Company for 34 years. He also was part of a family business doing sewer and septic work until retirement.

Walt served as trustee at St. Mary of Czestochowa Catholic Church for 60 years. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Fourth Degree. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, camping and biking. Over the years he had amassed a large beer can collection, even though he didn’t drink beer. He was also known for doing antler mounts of the family’s deer antlers. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and a friend to many.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Gladys, Donald, George Jr., Jack and Marvin Swartzer; parents-in-law Louis and Frances Salonek; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Tom Kuka, Leo Blackketter, Emmett Lynch, Louie Bury, Sandy Swartzer, Mary Helen Swartzer, Marguerite Swartzer, Laurie Swartzer, Marvin Salonek, Dorothy and George Campbell.

Walt is survived by his wife of 63 years, Irene; children David (Mary) Swartzer, Ronald (Carmen) Swartzer, James (Kristie) Swartzer, Julie (Mark) Hecksel, Kenneth (Jackie) Swartzer; 10 grandchildren Heather (Kristopher) Hanson, Sarah (Kyle) Grandahl, Ryan (Allison) Swartzer, Christopher (Althea) Swartzer, Jennifer (Josh) Converse, Cassandra (Kyle) Kuntz, James Swartzer Jr, Ashley (Eric) Mattson, Nicole Hecksel, Joshua (Samantha) Swartzer; 15 great grandchildren Luke and Emily Hanson, Samantha and Matthew Grandahl, Tyler, Emma, Jackson and Ava Swartzer, Nora Dubay, Ryker Converse, Fred and Gil Mattson, Carter Motzko and 2 on the way; siblings Lorraine Lynch, Betty Bury, Joe (Dorothy) Swartzer, Luverne Blackketter, Marian Kuka, Susan (Ed) Windsperger, Bob (Mary Lynn) Swartzer, Ervin (Renee) Swartzer, Gene Swartzer, Tony Swartzer, Peter (Alice) Swartzer; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Rosemary Swartzer, Izy Salonek and Marge (Mylen) Cardinal.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 A.M. Monday, September 19, 2016 at St. Mary of Czestochowa Catholic Church in rural Delano, Minnesota. Visitation took place from 4-8 P.M. Sunday with a 3:30 P.M. Knights of Columbus Rosary. Visitation continued on Monday from 10-11 A.M. prior to the Mass, ALL at the church. Interment with Military Honors was in the church cemetery.