Ernest "Papa" Waltjen

Ernest "Papa" Waltjen, 92, of Keaau passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones. Born on April 3, 1933, in Ola'a; he served in the Army and was a lowboy driver and faithful worker of Jas W. Glover General Contractors for 61 years and took pride in his landscaping services. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 18, 2025) at Connect Point Church, 168 Holomua Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720; Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m.; private burial at a later date. Flowers and leis welcomed. He is survived by, wife, Madeline "Maddie" Waltjen of Keaau; children, Michelle (Terence) Rodero of Kurtistown, Shane (Angela) Waltjen of Las Vegas, Nevada, Jolene Kivalu-Waltjen of Keaau and Vincelyn "Pinky" (Warren) Mehau of Hilo; siblings, Kenneth (Dale) Waltjen of Hilo and Daisy Wyatt of Seattle, Washington; sisters-in-law, Pam (William) Overin of Kansas City, Missouri and Carla Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska; deeply admired and loved by 19 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.