Walter Hagemeier

Rev. Walter Hagemeier was born June 21, 1949, to Harold and Ednamae (Dean) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and grew up with three brothers on a farm north of Hillsdale, Wyo. He loved farming and working with cattle. They said you could hear him sing over the tractor.

After graduating from high school, he attended a community college for a semester. Walter then enrolled in his church's Bible School to prepare for the ministry. He also worked full-time at Rockwell International. In his final year of college, the plant moved to North Carolina and they asked him to transfer with them for a job in management.. He told them he was called to the ministry and would not be doing that. He never looked back.

He married his high school sweetheart in 1969 after being half of their graduating class. He and his wife, Carolyn, have 4 children: Dan, Sarah, Mary, and Michael. He taught his children the value of hard work and the great reward of a job well done. They also have 8 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He dearly loved them all.

Walter went into the ministry in 1973 pastoring in Fremont, Grand Island, Beaver City and Burwell Nebraska, making many wonderful friends along the way. A great highlight of his ministry were the two mission trips to Brazil, one trip in 1999 and the second in 2008. In the fall of 2002, he and his wife moved back to Wyoming to pastor in Burns where he continued ministering until his passing.

He was a former mayor of Burns, as well as, having served on the city councils in a couple of towns where he previously lived. He enjoyed giving to his community.

He spent many years as a self-employed carpenter doing about everything except building a house from start to finish. He enjoyed his work and taught both of his sons carpentry so they could support themselves if need be.

At one point in time, he drove an ambulance and was an EMT. He also was an avid reader with great powers of concentration. He read to himself and he read to others, from adults to toddlers. A real treat was when he read aloud to his family stories of cattle driving and horse trading.

His health began to decline in 2012 with kidney failure and through many medical procedures and treatments he fought bravely. He never complained or felt sorry for himself. The kind and loving care given him by his wife at home and Dr. Meares, is greatly appreciated by his family. Dr. Meares became like one of their family. On occasion when Walt joked and teased those around him, they all knew he was having a better day. He was faithfully at his post of duty in every area. He lived a steady life from day-to-day.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and two older brothers and their wives, Robert and Evelyn also Charles and Geraldine, a niece, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, children Dan and wife, Michelle of Burwell, NE; Sarah, and Mary,of Burns, Wyoming and Michael and wife Tammy of Susquehanna, PA, Grandchildren: Daniel, Jr.; Aaron, Isaiah and Becca, Julianna and Zane, Josiah, Karyn, Kelsy, and Seth along with 2 great-grandchildren, Kenton and Kylie, one brother, Verne, of Sierra Vista, Arizona, many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. He would want you all to meet him in heaven.