It is with a heavy Heart and great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather; Brother, Uncle and Friend. He had a three day battle with a bowel instruction.
Ben Walter was born on May 1, 1941 to Elias and Susie Walter at the King Ranch Colony. He moved to Surprise Creek Colony near Stanford in 1963. Where he lived till 2006 and then moved to Prairie Elk Colony near Wolf Point, MT till his passing.
Ben was a man of the land and loved his animals. At Surprise Creek he was “night man” at sheep for many years, “the man with a lonely vigil”. He was a sheep sheerer and taught many a young man the trade. He also helped with the seeding and harvest, regaling us with his unending stories of open cab sprayers, and open cab combines, and stacking bales in the moonlight. He loved watching the crops grow, always keeping a keen eye on the weeds. Hard work was his pride and joy.
In May 1972 he married his beloved wife Rachel Waldner. They spent 47 years together and had two daughters and two babies who died in infancy.
Moving to Prairie Elk was hard for Dad – he left many loving friends and memories behind, but God is Faithful and helps us in all our trials and sooner than he thought he had new friends and loved living at Prairie Elk.
In his last years he found much joy in reading and singing and going for a ride in the evening with Mom. He loved to go to Canada to visit family and friends and he especially loved his stays at White Lake with his grandchildren. We will miss Dad dearly and treasure the many memories we have of him.
Ben leaves behind to mourn his beloved wife Rachel, his beloved daughter Diane and Son-in-Law Toby Walter; three grandsons: Caleb, Ryan, and Tristan, two grand-daughters: Rachel and Haley and his beloved Rose.
Also his sister Mary Walter and brothers: Darius(Annie), Paul(Rachel), Joe(Annie) and David(Susanna) and many nieces and nephews.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents Elias and Susie, brothers Eli(Ann)and Leonard and by his sister Rachel. A baby son Eli Phillip and a baby daughter Lois Marie.