Roger Walsh

Roger James Walsh, age 96, of Austin, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at Sacred Heart Care Center. Roger was born May 19, 1919 in Lyle, MN to Clarence and Theresa (Murphy) Walsh. He attended a one room school house in Lyle Township through eighth grade; always ranked “first in his class” since he was the only one. He graduated from Lyle High School in 1936. He enlisted in the Army in January 1941 expecting to return home the following January. The slogan for military service was, “So long dear, I will be back in a year”. However, with the start of WWII, his plans changed. Roger spent the next 4 years with the heralded US Army 3rd Infantry Division fighting across North Africa, Sicily, Italy, southern France, Austria and Germany. Roger returned home as Staff Sergeant Walsh on August 14, 1945. On September 25, 1945 he married Elizabeth “Betty” Heimer in Johnsburg, MN. The couple moved to Austin where Roger worked as a master plumber and pipefitter for Williams Plumbing and Heating for 20 years. In 1965 he joined the “pipe shop” at the Hormel Company, retiring in 1981. He was an active member at Queens of Angels for many years and later at St. Augustine. Roger enjoyed farming, gardening, reading about history, traveling with Betty, woodworking and playing cards. In his heart he always remained a farm boy. He loved sharing stories with his family and always looked forward to visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include Betty, his wife of nearly 70 years; children, Nancy (Craig) Welken, Plymouth; Daryl (Susan) Walsh, Plymouth; Gayle (Michael Martello) Walsh, Pacific Grove, CA; Allyn (Sheila) Walsh, Rochester; Sarah (Mike) Landherr, Austin; Jayne (Mark) Schneider, Apple Valley; 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Janel, grandson Alex, one brother and three sisters. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 11:00 am on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. There will be a 5 pm rosary on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 5-7 pm and also one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #105 and V.F.W. Post #1216. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Augustine Catholic Church, Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Care Center, or a charity of donor’s choice. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com

Service Information

Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery
4th Drive SW
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Friday, May 29 2015
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Mayer Funeral Home
600 2nd Street NW P.O. Box 27
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Saturday, May 30 2015
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

St. Augustine Catholic Church
405 4th Street NW
Austin MN 55912

Service

Saturday, May 30 2015
11:00 AM

St. Augustine Catholic Church
405 4th Street NW
Austin MN 55912