Walter Rubin Whitehorse

MCFARLAND - Walter Rubin Whitehorse, age 101, passed away at Drumlin Reserve Memory Care in Cottage Grove, Wis. Walter was delivered by his father en route to Chicago. He was the son of Ralph Rubin Whitehorse and Annie Greencrow Whitehorse and was the oldest of seven siblings. He attended the Indian Mission Industrial School in Tomah, Wis. He spent many of his younger years traveling with his parents, selling natural herbal medicine at Maxwell Street in Chicago, and state and county fairs.

 In 1942, Walter joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was trained as a Radarman2 and served on a destroyer and a communications ship in Europe and North Africa, being a part of every invasion of Europe.  He loved being in the service where he got three square meals a day and change of clothing.

When he was honorably discharged in 1945, he met Marie Stoffel in Volo, Ill. They were married in 1947 and moved to Madison. He attended MATC to study auto mechanics and painting. He and Marie started their own business, Chief Auto Parts, in Monona. With Walter's grit and Marie's tenacity they were successful in both business and life.

 
Walter had a passion for racing and built his own race cars — midgets and sprint cars and raced them at Angell Park in Sun Prairie and various locales over the Midwest. He was inducted into the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2025.

From a very young age and into his adulthood, Walter was an avid sportsman — fishing, hunting deer, geese, ducks, pheasants and larger game out west. He would tell his family of the many wild game he had eaten as a child; such as squirrel, rabbit, snake, opossum, racoon, beaver and even tried skunk, most of which he claimed, “tastes like chicken!” In the 1960s, along with his family he built a cabin in Adams Friendship which was used for his outdoor activities.

 Walter enjoyed trap and skeet shooting and was the State Champion in several states for many years. He felt the need to do something in the winter months and took up Alpine skiing at the age of 40. He skied for many years in Colorado with his children. Since he liked the speed of race cars, he also enjoyed skiing fast, and would ski like a cannonball straight down the hill, seldom turning. A few times he would break his skis after crashing, but would bouce back up and buy a new set of ski’s at the chalet.

Walter also loved building and racing ice boats, naming his “Fast Buck.” He raced at many regattas and was very competitive. He was a long-time member of the Four Lakes Ice Boat Club.

 Walter was a devoted Christian and a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Madison. He attended services religiously up until a few months before his death.

 Walter is survived by his sister, Helen Whitehorse, who is the last of his siblings; and brother-in-law, Samuel Starnes, who was married to Walter’s sister, Alberta, who just recently passed away.

 He leaves behind his sons, Dennis (Kathy Purcell) Whitehorse, Kenneth (Susan Martinez) Whitehorse and James (Marilee) Whitehorse; daughter, Ruth Ann Whitehorse-Burns; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie (Stoffel) Whitehorse; parents; son, Daniel Whitehorse; son-in-law, Thomas Burns; and siblings, Harry Whitehorse, Mildred Hendrix, Alberta Starnes, and Paul and David Whitehorse.

 A funeral service will be held at CROSSPOINT CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE, 5011 Commercial Ave., Madison, at 12 noon on Thursday, November 5, 2026, with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park.

 Sincere appreciation to Paul Pankratz and his staff at Yahara Clinic. Paul had been Walter's Physician Assistant for decades, they enjoyed talking with each other. Thank you to the nurses and CNAs at HoChunk House of Wellness in Baraboo and to nurse Heidi and CNA Tricia through the HoChunk area office for their home visits. Walter enjoyed their company and loved telling them stories about his childhood and his military service. Heidi always heard a new story. He enjoyed Tricia reading from the Bible during her visits. In addition, heartful appreciation to Drumlin Memory Care staff who took good care of Walter for six months. They would always remark what a sweet man he was. The family is also grateful for the Agrace HospiceCare team and their care for him along with considering any family needs or concerns.

 2Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time for my departure is near: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

 Memorials may be made to the Building Fund at Crosspoint Church of the Nazarene. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

 Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420