Donald "Don" William Walter

Donald “Don” William Walter, 93, went to be with the Lord on April 10, 2026.  He was born January 23, 1933, to William Frederick and Ida Marie (Hedinger) Walter. He had one sister, Mary Bush, who was 21 years older.

Don grew up in Brooks, Iowa, where he attended school and graduated from Corning High School in 1950. He had many varied jobs during and after high school, including surveying and repairing rails for the railroad, plumbing work and moving houses.

He was drafted into the Army near the end of the Korean War and served in Japan for 18  months. When Don returned home, he began farming the family farm and continued for 33 years. After returning to Iowa, Don met a beautiful young lady, Sonja Bennett, and they married April 14, 1957. To this union was born three children: Nancy, Carol and David.

Don accepted Christ as his Savior as a result of listening to a Billy Graham Crusade on television after realizing that God was the missing piece in his life.

After raising their children, they were commissioned by their church as missionaries and served as volunteers at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp in Ventura, Iowa, for 35 years and at Rio Grande Bible Institute, Edinburg, Texas, for 26 years. While at RGBI, they made many missions trips into Mexico to help local churches. They also volunteered at Missionary Acres in Missouri and for a short time at Faith Baptist Bible College.

Don had a heart for the ministry of camp and he influenced many young people, especially young men by teaching them to weld and having godly conversations with them! His humble, kind spirit was obvious to all, and his gentle humor made him loved by all who knew him. 

In 1989, Don and Sonja were able to take a trip to Norway to visit Sonja’s relatives. In 2023, Don had the privilege of taking an Honor Flight to DC where he was able to view the Korean War monument among others. It was a wonderful day, and he enjoyed it.

Don served as deacon at Grace Baptist Church in Corning for many years. The past few years he has been a member of Community Baptist Church in Ankeny.

Don is preceded in death by his wife, Sonja, and his son-in-law, Randy. Surviving him are his daughters, Nancy Garwick, Carol (Warren) Tustin and son, David (Jen) Walter, 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grand children.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 17, at Community Baptist Church, Ankeny, Iowa, from 1-2 pm and the Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 pm. Coffee and cookies will be served after the service. The Interment will be Saturday, April 18, at 11 am at the Methodist Grove Cemetery. Memorial gifts should be made out directly to Iowa Regular Baptist Camp.

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