Wow, what a life...

The words Mom often spoke as she reflected on her own. She would always say how blessed they had been. They raised the best kids and had the best grandkids. Family gatherings were always full of love and laughter. You could sometimes catch her quietly scanning the room, her eyes so full of pride you could see it written on her face, her heart so full it looked like it might burst.

Mom was born on April 26, 1939, to Philippena and Anton Bachmeier. She was raised in a large, loving family by her mom and stepdad, Albert Schiele, who, by all intents and purposes, was simply “Dad” to her. They instilled in her a strong faith in God and Christian values, which only deepened when she met and married our dad, Leo Walter, on October 29, 1958. Together, grounded in faith, they started their own family. They raised seven children: Susan (James) Becker, Tamera (Donald) Larson, Amanda Walter, Leo (Joyce) Walter, Lelon (Mindy) Walter, Leslie (Shelly) Walter, and their baby, Vanessa (Jacob) Adams—who in turn blessed them with 23 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Mom was a devoted wife and mother. She supported our dad in every way while he pursued his education in Tempe, AZ. She babysat for others and took in ironing for college students to help make ends meet—all while raising us and managing the daily household responsibilities. In 1971, we moved to Ray, where, after several years, Mom and Dad made the decision to purchase the Snow White Drive-In. It became more than just a business; it was a way for them to instill a strong work ethic in us, teach valuable life skills, and give us the chance to earn our own money. To this day, people still say the Snow White had the best burgers and ice cream around—and it never fails to bring a smile to our faces.

Mom was also a loving daughter and sister. After her father passed, she and Dad helped care for Grandma however they could—giving rides to church, going to appointments, and spending countless hours visiting and reminiscing. Even before Grandma passed, Mom had already stepped into the role of family matriarch. She and Dad hosted many big, joyful family gatherings, creating a warm, welcoming space where everyone could eat, laugh, play cards, and simply enjoy each other’s company. She will be dearly missed by her one surviving sibling, Gayla, along with all her remaining brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Mom's true joy came from her family. She loved us all without condition and absolutely adored her grandchildren. She had a feisty and playful spirit that kept everyone on their toes—in the best way. If she didn’t approve of something, you could count on her to shake her fist or stick out her tongue just to let you know. As a grandmother, she took the time to collect rocks and taught many of her grandkids how to skip them across the water. Camping and fishing brought her so much joy. Not many knew she kept a fishing pole hidden in some trees down by the reservoir and would sneak off during her morning walks to cast a line. While she treasured that peaceful solitude, nothing made her happier than spending hours on the lake with her best catch and forever fishing buddy—our dad. Together, they passed down their love of the outdoors to their children and grandchildren and cherished every moment doing so. They also dedicated one weekend a year to the Annual Walter Family Campout, which is coming up next month. Though Mom and Dad won't be there in the physical sense, their presence will be felt in every laugh, every story, and every shared memory.

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, our beloved mother, Viola Victoria Walter, passed from this life to the next—to be with Jesus and to be joyfully reunited with our dad.
Mom, we were the blessed ones. And you were right...
Wow, what a life.