Walter Schenk

Walter "Walt" Gottlieb Schenk, 81, of Idaho Falls, assed away Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at his home of natural causes. Aspen Home Health and Hospice assisted the family with his care.

He was born Aug. 25, 1932, in Santa Cruz, Calif., the son of Gottfried Schenk and Annamarie Kohlbrenner Schenk. He grew up and attended schools in Salinas, Calif. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

On June 3, 1959, he married Ernestine Ann Astill in the Southern Baptist Church in Roseville, Calif. They lived in Mendon, Nev., on a cattle ranch, and then a year later, they moved to the Sacramento area. In 1975, they moved to Rigby.

Walt was a Christian and volunteered in the chapel at Good Samaritan-Idaho Falls Village.

Walt trained and broke horses. He loved being in the mountains on a horse.

He was the most honorable, gentle, ornery, loyal man we knew, and he will surely be missed by many.

Walt is survived by his sons, Steve and Mike Schenk, both of Idaho Falls; daughters, Cindye Schenk of Idaho Falls and Cathy Swearingen of Salt Lake City; six grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Walt was preceded in death by his wife, Ernestine; brothers, Ted and Fred Schenk; and a sister, Dorra Fowler.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 3, at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 2345 W. Broadway, with Pastor Matt Swenson officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Ammon Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family www .coltrinmortuary.com.