Walter Walt Grunewaldt, age 88, of Ethan, died August 15, at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday at the Harvest Community Church of the Nazarene in Mitchell with burial in Eventide Cemetery at Woonsocket. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM Friday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Walt was born in Jerauld County near Lane, South Dakota on November 7, 1917, the only child of John and Anna (Linke) Grunewaldt. He was raised on farms in the Woonsocket area and was joined by his cousins, Eugene and Wayne Linke during his growing up years. He attended rural schools in Sanborn County and Woonsocket High School, graduating in 1934. After graduation he spent a year working on a farm in Illinois and then worked with his father until continuing his education at Notre Dame Academy in Mitchell, obtaining a teaching certificate in 1939. He taught rural schools in Sanborn County for four years while beginning to farm. On August 14, 1941, he was united in marriage to Retha Louise Schabot. They farmed near Woonsocket until 1948 when they moved south of Artesian and then south of Alexandria in 1965. During those year, Walt was also employed at the Mitchell Livestock Sales Barn on sale days and as a carpenter. After purchasing Walts Bar and Grill in Ethan in the fall of 1970, they discontinued farming, and enjoyed being business owners in a small town until 1978. Walt continued to drive the school bus for the Ethan school and they spent several summers managing campgrounds at Chief White Crane and in Mitchell. Following a valiant fight with cancer, Retha passed away November 22, 1984. Walt married Wilma Heckel July 21, 1986. They enjoyed managing campgrounds in South Dakota during the summer and camping in Tucson during the winter for many years. Their garden was a highlight of their summers. Walt enjoyed being with people, dancing and traveling. He volunteered as a 4-H Leader in Sanborn County and was recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer Leader. He served many years as the Clerk of the Diana School District. He spent many hours with his hammer helping construct the 4-H Center at Forestburg and the gymnasium at the Artesian School. Later in Ethan he served on the Volunteer Fire Department, a Senior Volunteer and Active Senior Citizens member. He enjoyed driving the shuttle bus at the South Dakota State fair and later at the Dakota Fest. He is sadly missed by his wife, Wilma, of Ethan and his children: Shirley (John) Effling and Sharon (Warren) Richie, all of Clear Lake; John (Janet) Grunewaldt, Sioux Falls and Dale (Marlene) Grunewaldt, Parkston; 22 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, and stepchildren: Leonard Heckel, Ethan; Marlyn (Rachel) Heckel, Mitchell; Violet (Don) Minnix and Janice (Kurt) Schuler, California; 9 step-grandchildren and 1 step great-grandchild. His parents, John and Anna Grunewaldt, his first wife, Retha, a granddaughter, Michelle Bethke, a great granddaughter, Chelsea Weber, and a stepdaughter, Phyllis Heckel, preceded him in death. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the American Cancer Society.