Walter Thomsen
April 20, 1937 - June 16, 2020
Obituary
MADISON/SUN PRAIRIE - Walter Lyle Thomsen, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on April 20, 1937, in Windsor, the son of Peter and Hilda (Buttenhoff) Thomsen. Walter graduated from Madison East High School, with the class of 1955. He played basketball during high school and also later in Germany, where he was stationed while proudly serving in the U.S. Army.
On leave from the Army, Walter met Dolly Montgomery, and they later married on Aug. 11, 1962. He enjoyed being with his family, spending time up north, and taking special trips. Many weekends were spent at the family farm looking for mushrooms, picking berries, gardening, and hunting. Always in constant motion, Walter worked incessantly in his yard, or on his home and was diligent about maintaining his physical condition. In his down time, he enjoyed playing cribbage and watching sports on TV. Later, watching his grandchildren at their sporting events and other activities gave him immense pride. Those closest to Walter will miss his sense of humor and his smirking chuckle.
Walter enjoyed a life-time career at Schoep’s Ice Cream. He put himself through his classes at the University of Wisconsin while working at Schoep’s. Later, he began driving the delivery truck and eventually learned all aspects of the ice cream business. Prior to retirement, Walter was Secretary/Treasurer and Production Manager. Walter had an impeccable work ethic and simply led by example. Many admired him, and everyone remembers his handshake. Those who shook his hand, are thankful he didn’t break theirs.
Walter is survived by his wife, Dolly; children, Cheryl (John) Mankowski, Richard (Becky) Thomsen, Alan (Wendy Fay) Thomsen, David (Tina) Thomsen and Charlotte (Jarrod) Mason; 15 grandchildren, Zachariah, Tiffany, Sydney, Heather and Emily Mankowski, Jack Phillipe, Brenden Thomsen and Cole Fay, Hayden, Avery, Addison and Reagan Thomsen and Taylor, Dean and Cyrus Mason; sisters, Mary Snyder and Evelyn Koenig; sisters-in-law, Judy Thomsen and Maja Thomsen; brother-in-law, Don Hansen; and many loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lester, Paul and Donald Thomsen; sisters, Carol Hansen and Lois Gates; and brothers-in-law, Ted Snyder and Harold Koenig.
A private family memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 20, 2020, which will be LIVE STREAMED. Friends and family who wish to view services via LIVE STREAM may visit Walter’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Watch Webcast link. A public visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2020. Due to COVID-19, social distancing will be enforced, and the chapel will be limited to 50 people at a time during the visitation for health safety. Visitors are encouraged to wear masks; anyone who is sick, as well as children 12 and under are discouraged from attending. Because we love you, hugs, handshakes and embracing are also discouraged.
Memorials may be made to the family for charities to be determined. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Fri Jun 19, 2020 @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Walter have been shared yet.
Memories
R
RainaMcCauley
Other •
My favorite memory is staying the weekend to hang out with my cousins and watch cartoons on Saturday morning with Uncle Walt. He was really reading the paper. However, it was fantastic that he was there with us.
DK
David klein
Other •
The passing of Walter Thomsen. A few of the many notes, I have in my head. The man worked more 16 hour days, than any man should, and I'm talking decades. He put me through college, allowing me to work at schoepps ice cream. His hand shake had superman strength. I remember walking the hills mushrooming, ice fishing, and bowhunting in his younger years, after his 80 hour weeks. He taught his 5 children and me work ethic, by example, a lost art. He could scream louder, by raising one eye brow, than anyone could by raising their voice. His prime example of being a family man, commanded respect without saying a word. I have helped Rich and Al move on with employment, with very few words. I knew their work ethic would echo their fathers. I could write a small book, about how Walter and the Thomsens raised their family. I hope you look fondly down upon us Walter, the mushrooms are abundant, and the deer are plentiful in heaven. Rest easy old man, you deserve peace.
TD
Tom Downs
Other •
My 2 brothers and I grew up two blocks away from Schoepps in the 50's and 60's. We all worked there in the summers and more as we got older. I've had life long memories of Paul, Walter, and Lester that will never fade. We learned the meaning of hard work from the Thomsen Brothers. Icons of the Lower East Side! Rest in Peace.
The Downs Boys
CA
Camie Andrews
Other •
The Thomsen's have always been and always will be my second family. I will remember Walt as a hardworking and kind man. His quiet humor would show during games of euchre which somehow he cleverly managed to win. I would laugh hearing about mushrooming adventures where he would wander for hours and end up in another town not sure how to get back. I will miss him and he will always have a place in my heart. Love you Thomsen family!
JA
John Andruss
Other •
Learned alot from Walt, he trained me as a machine operator at Schoeps, god bless you Walt and family, rest easy my friend.
LF
Lyle Fox
Other •
Dolly,so sorry to read of Walter's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wonderful family.