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Walter W. Schmakel Obituary – 7/31/2012


Walter William “Sonny” Schmakel, age 82, of Waconia, died Tuesday July 31, 2012, at the Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.

He was born Dec. 25, 1929, in Waconia, the son of Walter T. and Alvina B. (Terwedo) Schmakel. Walter was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia.

He was united in marriage to Delores M. Luebke June 26, 1953, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Watertown by the Rev. John Spomer.

Walter joined the Army in June of 1948, and retired April 1, 1969.

He loved to fish and hunt, especially with his brothers at his property up north.

Walter served as commander of the VFW and the American Legion in Waconia, and as the manager of the Waconia American Legion from 1985 until present time.

Walter was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy; son Thomas; parents Walter T. and Alvina Schmakel; sisters Marlene McPadden, and Joanne Karels; sisters-in-Law Mary Schmakel, and Karen Schmakel; niece Ann Anacker; father-in-law and mother-in-law August and Gertrude Luebke; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Edgar Winckel, Ken Meuwissen, Clarence Luebke, Wilbert Luebke, Milton Luebke, and Richard and Verdella Allenspach.

He is survived by his loving family; wife Delores “Dee;” daughters Debra (Roger) Thompson of Shakopee, and Susan (Bruce) Veldey of Indio, CA; grandchildren Nicholas and Hannah Veldey of Indio, CA, and Alexandra “Alex” Thompson of Shakopee; brothers and sisters-in-law Charles and Marlene Schmakel, Kenneth and Alyce Schmakel, all of Waconia, Dale Schmakel of Sandstone, Larry Schmakel, LeRoy and Penny Schmakel, all of Waconia, and Neil and Nancy Schmakel of Watertown; and sisters and brothers-in-law Lois Winckel of Arizona, Vera and Wallace Dressel of Waconia, and Sharon Pearson of St. Louis Park.

Walter is further survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Donald Karels of Waconia, Gary McPadden of Avon, Linda Meuwissen of Chaska, Rose Ann Luebke, Joanne Luebke, both of St. Bonifacius, and Allen (Linda) Luebke of Anoka; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services took place Saturday Aug. 4 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia with the Rev. Robert Alsleben officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Visitation was Friday, Aug. 3 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.; and continued Saturday at the church one hour prior to the service.

Casket bearers were Michael Schmakel, Ricky Karels, Mark Schmakel, Ryan Schmakel, Steve Dressel, and Jeff Schmakel.

Arrangements were with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia; www.johnsonfh.com.

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