Walter's service will livestreamed at : http://www.facebook.com/holyfamilygf/

Walter Manual Stroh wanted to make it to 100 years and he almost did.  He passed away on August 26, 2026, just 101 days shy of that goal.  He was born on December 4, 1926, to John and Louise (Kranzler) Stroh.  He grew up on the north end of Grand Forks and always said there was no place he would rather be than Grand Forks.

He was one of the very few veterans of World War II remaining in America.  In September 2009, he had the great experience of being able to visit the WWII memorial in Washington DC with his daughter Shelly on one of the many Honor Flights that have flown out of Grand Forks.

He quit Central High School at the age of 17 to join the US Navy in November 1944, starting with Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois. He was so young that his parents John and Louise had to sign the enlistment papers for him.  After training, he served on the destroyer USS Purdy. He was a Machinist Third Class (M3) in San Diego, San Francisco and on the ship, and their mission was to perform clean up after the bombs were dropped on Japan.

Walter was honorably discharged from the US Navy in July of 1946 and later that year, on November 12th he married Margie Ione Benson, of Erskine MN.  He obtained his GED and began working for Great Northern railroad, which later became Burlington Northern and then BNSF.  Walt and Margie resided for a short period of time in East Grand Forks MN and then in Grand Forks. They had two daughters, Terry (Ken) Guenther and Shelly (Scott) Gust.  Walter worked on the railroad, as did many of his relatives and moonlighted at Nodak Electric Cooperative as a janitor. It was at this job that he had an almost fatal heart attack at the age of 39.  Six years later he had another one.  These events and other health issues ended his career on the railroad.  In 1977, Margie passed away.

Walt was an avid gardener, and his lawn was always green and weed free. He loved flowers and was a great cook, a skill he must have acquired from his mother or maybe he was just a natural.  He was one of the rare men in the 1950's and 1960's who changed diapers, cooked, did laundry and cleaned and he continued to do so throughout his life.  He spent vacation days over in Erskine at his in-laws' farm helping out with the farm.  But he also enjoyed fishing with his father-in-law, Martin, and daughter, Shelly.  One of the family's favorite destinations in summer was Itasca State Park in Minnesota.

Walter was one of the biggest UND Sioux hockey fans there ever was.  He would walk, in the middle of winter, from East Grand Forks out to what was known as 'the barn' on the UND campus to watch UND hockey games.  It was known as the barn because it wasn't heated.  Now that's a real fan. He also enjoyed watching MN Vikings games on television.

Walt was a wonderful husband and father, who worked so very hard to provide for his family.  As daughters he and our mother taught us honesty, integrity and the value of an honest day's work.

In 1979, Walter met Viola (Fischer) Meisel of Grand Forks and later married her in July of 1982.  Together, Viola and Walt had a daycare for twenty years and took great care of hundreds of children in Grand Forks, some of whom considered them another set of grandparents.  Walt and Viola had a large garden and many flowers and bird feeders.  For many summers, they enjoyed time at their camper at Stony Point Resort on Cass Lake, taking pontoon rides and again, feeding birds. Some years ago, Walter and Viola's yard was selected as the 'yard of the year' in Grand Forks, a distinction they took great pride in.  Together, Viola and Walt also enjoyed watching UND hockey games on television.

Most recently Walt was a resident at Tufte Manor in Grand Forks, and he formed many friendships there.  He enjoyed watching the birds, squirrels, rabbits, ducks and the occasional deer that fed outside his window.

Walter is survived by his wife, Viola and daughters Terry (Ken) Guenther and Shelly (Scott) Gust. Grandchildren Chris Gust, Marie (Jeremy) Clemetson and Mat (Amanda) Gust. Great grandchildren Lily and Palmer Clemetson and Jordy, Asher and Espyn Gust.  His living siblings include Eugene Stroh, Barbara Glewwe, Jackie (Lee) Chase and Robert (Lois) Stroh.  He also has numerous nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by stepchildren Jayne (Wayne) Pudil, Judy (Jim) Ell, Mari (Rory) Anderson, Kathy (Dan) Sampson, Karen (Duane) Bromley.  Step grandchildren include Corrie (Caleb) Spicer, Davey Stinson, Jerry (Mary) Pudil, Brian (Lina) Ell, Ashley (Ryan) Strand, Jenny Larson (Brian), Jared (Ashley) Storstad and Jake Storstad, Wyatt Sampson and Alec (Taylor) Sampson and Amber (Parker) Adair, Brooke and Nicole Meisel. Step great grandchildren include Levi, Isla and Milo Spicer, Aiden and Holden Pudil, Finnegan Ell, Teddy and Calvin Strand, Dylan Larson, Ellie and Emma Dahl, Koda Storstad, Wrenick Sampson; Hadley and Josie Sampson.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Louise, sister Marilyn (Robert) Walters,  brother-in-law Norman Glewwe, sister-in-law Rose Stroh and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  Additionally, stepson Jimmy Meisel and stepdaughter Peggy Meisel and step granddaughter Laura Smith.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity.

Mass of Christian Burial : 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Visitation: One hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Thursday.
Burial: Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the United States Navy Reserve.