Schowalter – Walter Henry Schowalter of Willow Creek Lodge in Stettler, Alberta, passed away peacefully on 18th August 2006 in the Stettler Auxiliary Hospital at the age of 90 years. Walter was born on the 21st of February 1916 to Christense and Edward Schowalter on the family farm near Rosenheim, Alberta, south east of Provost. He was raised on the farm and attended Rosenheim and Maypole Schools. He completed his education at Vermilion and Olds Agricultural Colleges. Walter married Eva Carter, who was to be his wife for nearly 59 years, in 1944. They farmed near Rumsey, Alberta, and raised 4 children there. In 1969, he accepted a position as a technician at the Alberta Horticultural Research Station at Brooks. In 1981, he retired and Eva and he moved to Big Valley where they resided until moving to Stettler in 2000. Walter was always actively engaged with the world and, to an unusual degree, pursued the interests of his youth through his entire life. He was an early and frequent contributor to the Young Co-operators’ page in the Western Producer and he continued writing for local and family histories until the last few years. Walter’s great hobby and pursuit was horticulture, an activity that engaged him to the end of his life. While at Willow Creek Lodge, he maintained a large rose garden that was enjoyed by other residents and visitors alike. During his life, he exchanged newly bred plant varieties and correspondence with leading plant breeders on the Canadian Prairies and kept virtually all of his records and correspondence. Those records are proving valuable to those investigating the development of horticulture in Western Canada and the lives and activities of the most prominent plant breeders here. Walter had a strong commitment to the communities he lived in. He was a long-time member of Board of Directors of Red Deer River Garden Club, Scout leader, church pianist, and was active in drama productions and choirs. He was very musical – being an able pianist and accordion player. In his last years, he learned to play the xylophone and entertained his grandchildren and others by playing the mouth organ. Walter was also artistic. He was a capable painter who not only painted pictures but also prepared drama props and did technical drawings of plants. However, he was best known for his cartoons which were often wry commentaries on co-workers and activities in his workplace. Walter had a great interest in natural history and had detailed knowledge of plants and animals of the regions he lived in. His collection of native artifacts is now housed in the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton and many of his fossils are in the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology in Drumheller. He also had a strong interest in family history. His book on genealogy and family history of his grandfather’s descendents is valued and enjoyed by his many relatives. Some of the accomplishments and awards Walter was most proud of were his Governor General’s Medal for Academic Achievement, those occasions when he won the prize for the most points at the Red Deer River Garden Club Show, the recognitions for life-long contribution by both the Western Canadian Society for Horticulture and the Alberta Horticultural Association, and recent naming of the Walter Schowalter rose after him. The rose can be seen at the Devonian Gardens near Devon, Alberta. Walter was predeceased by his much loved wife Eva, brother Gilbert and sister Ruth Wilhart. He was also predeceased by son-in-law Mike Davis, brothers-in-law Hank Wilhart, Reg Newton, Allan Auburn, Jim Carter, and Leo Carter and sister-in-law Rose Carter. He is survived by his children Ed (Inge) Schowalter, Mary Davis, Tim (Laraine Hess) Schowalter, and Margit (Grant Willis) Schowalter; his grandchildren Bill (Barbara) Avramenko, Peep (Ken) Bengert, Angie (Richard Dyck) Proulx, and Quinten (Leah-anne) Schowalter; as well as 11 great grand children and 3 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Clifford (Ardell) Schowalter and Howard (Audrey) Schowalter and sister Elsie Newton as well as in-laws Ruth and Rudy Hanke, Bill Carter, Alice Carter, and Irene and Bob Graham and numerous nieces and nephews. A Family Interment took place at the Big Valley Cemetery at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 with the Funeral Service following in the Heartland Chapel of Stettler Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Karl Faltin of St. Peter Lutheran Church officiating. Al Gerdung gave the tribute. Soloist Bruce Johnston sang “Beyond The Sunset” and was accompanied by Doug McKay who also played for the congregational hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” and the recessional music “The Entertainer.” Family and friends gathered in the Heartland Fellowship hall following the service for a time of sharing and for light refreshments provided by Bill’s Catering. If friends so wish, donations in Walter’s memory may be made to the Alberta Horticultural Association, 4410 50A St., Red Deer, AB, T4N 1Z2 or c/o Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium, Box 1780, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0, who were entrusted with the care and arrangements. Sympathies may be forwarded to the family by signing the guestbook at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com. Settler Funeral Home & Crematorium entrusted with the care and arrangements. For further information please call 742-3422.
