Mary I. Walter

MARSHALL / VIOLA / MADISON - Our mom, Mary Walter, left us on Friday, December 26, 2025, to join our dad, Del, and baby brother, Jeff, in eternal life. Mom was born on November 4, 1931, to Harry E. and Clotilde A. (Uppena) Pluemer in Waukon, IA, joining her sister Kathryn (Kay), 10 years her senior. Kay was her life-long companion, friend and sometime mother. Mom attended St. Patrick Grade School until the family moved to Seattle in the summer of 1942. There she attended St. Catherine Grade School, Holy Names Academy High School, and the University of Washington where she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.   

While on summer break from college and working in her parents’ diner in Montfort, WI, a young man named Delburn Walter stopped in for lunch and was immediately enlisted to teach her how to drive a car. That first ride stretched into 54 wonderful years of marriage. Mom and Dad welcomed their first seven children while living in the Montfort area, where they established many lifelong friendships. In 1962, Del was hired by the Wisconsin State Patrol and the couple relocated to Marshall, WI, where they welcomed their last two children and spent 40 very happy years as early residents of the “Squigville” neighborhood.  

Mom was a homemaker during her early married life and, though Dad always claimed she “couldn’t boil water without burning it” when they were first married, developed into a wonderful cook.  Many of her unique recipes were recently included in a cookbook, which will be treasured by her kids and grandkids for years to come.  Though money was often tight, Mom always ensured that her children had what they needed, from lunch money to Christmas presents to homemade Halloween costumes that were often the talk of the town. The demands of raising a large family eventually necessitated that Mom enter the workforce, and in 1965 she became a pioneer in law enforcement when she was hired as one of the very first female officers in the Madison Police Department. Later, she would also work as a security guard at Oscar Mayer Corporation (soon after being promoted to Head of Security) and as a security guard at the federal courthouse in Madison.  

Upon retirement, Mom and Dad moved to the Walter family farm near Viola, where Mom spent many years hosting family get-togethers and enjoying activities with her grandchildren.   As Mom’s health began to fade, she relocated to the All Saints Neighborhood in Madison, where she cultivated new friendships among the residents and continued to host gatherings of family and friends.  

Mom was a life-long learner who enjoyed reading and learning new things. She had a passion for literature - shared with many of her children - and once won a competitive Shakespeare trivia contest against stiff competition that included university professors and Shakespearean scholars. She treasured books, and her personal library included hundreds of volumes spanning numerous genres and topics. Though Mom was not able to continue her own college career, education remained very important to her and she ensured that all of her children attended college; many went on to earn graduate degrees.  

Mom was very active in the lives of her children and grandchildren and showed great interest in their activities. Her constant questions, guidance, and advice showed the depth of her concern for their futures and their well-being. She provided a clear moral compass to guide them throughout their lives. For over 60 years she attended their athletic events, concerts, and other activities, often traveling great distances to do so. Even in her later years, despite health challenges, she continued to travel to as many family events as possible. All of her children, grandchildren, and many of her great-grandchildren have stories of their close relationships with her. Her devotion to her family was complete and absolute.  

Mom was sustained throughout her life by a deep faith in her savior, Jesus Christ. She was a devout member of the St. Thomas (Montfort), St. Mary’s (Marshall), and St. Philip (Rolling Ground) congregations and the All Saints Chapel (Madison). Mom’s faith wove both passion and compassion through the fabric of her life, reflecting her deep interest in and concern for the lives of others.

Mary is survived by eight children: Mike (Marty Smith) of King George, VA, Steve (Diane) of Menlo Park, CA, Dan (Barb) of De Pere, WI, Tim (Lucy) of Brown Deer, WI, Chris Glass of Franksville, WI, Pat Anderson (Phil) of Sun Prairie, WI, Shari Twing (Jeff) of Madison, WI, and Scott (Erica) of Viola, WI; 20 grandchildren: Aaron Smith-Walter (Lindsay Snider), Leah Warren (Michael), Mary Reichelt (Mike), Corey Shih (John), Marika Earle (Brian), Greg (Kysa), Jon (Brittaini Maul), Ben (Jenna), Katie Toombs (George), Alyssa Glass (Nick), James Anderson, Tom Anderson (Stephanie), Jennifer Anderson (Scott Van Buskirk), Tierney Schneider-Twing (Andrew), Delaney Twing, Elizabeth Grutz (Kirby), Connie Allen (Eli), Del, Arlon and Chloe; and 19 great-grandchildren: Karl Smith-Walter; Clara and Felix Warren; Penelope, Freya and Beatrix Reichelt; Kai Shih; Kaleb, Mackenzie and Maxwell; Alex; Tulia and Gideon Toombs; Ryder, Clyde and Kaden Nelson; Sam Anderson; and Henry and Grant Grutz.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Del and their infant son, Jeffrey Harold; her parents, Harry and Clotilde; her sister, Kathryn Richards; and many family members and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Irene (Pluemer) Walter will be held at ST. PHILIP CATHOLIC CHURCH (ROLLING GROUND), 42678 Church Road, Soldiers Grove, WI, at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. Burial will take place at St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Tennyson, WI.  

As per Mom’s wishes, memorial funds will be divided between Holy Names Academy in Seattle, WA, and Holy Family Convent of Manitowoc, WI. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420