Sophia (Schmeidler) Walter

Sophia Walter

Sophia Walter, 99, Catharine, died Sunday, August 11, 2024 at her home.

She was born September 11, 1924 in Catharine, the daughter of Anton and Anna (Sander) Schmeidler.  On November 13, 1944 she was united in marriage to Ralph Walter in Severin, and they celebrated 46 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on April 16, 1991.  Her memberships included St. Catherine Catholic Church, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, and the St. Catherine Christian Mothers Altar Society.  Sophia was a farmwife, helped with the milking, and was a devoted homemaker and caregiver.  She also enjoyed her outdoor cats, gardening, and doing yardwork.

Survivors include her four daughters, Dorothy Augustine and husband Richard of Hays, Rosie Leiker and husband Herman of Munjor, Cynthia Rooker and husband Francis of Las Cruces, NM, and Barbara Margaris and husband Jack of Mission, her daughter-in-law, Diana Walter of Catharine, three sisters, Lillian Fisher of Hays, Anna Marie Lessor and husband Laverne of Great Bend, and Gloria VonLintel and husband Robert of Vincent, a brother-in-law, Melvin Walters of Tulsa, OK, two sisters-in-law, Dolores Schmeidler and Elsie Schmeidler, both of Hays, 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.      

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ralph, her son, Vernon Walter, four brothers, Edwin, Ralph, Lawrence, and Anton Schmeidler, a sister, Irene Dreiling, and a grandson, Farron Leiker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at St. Catherine Catholic Church.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Saturday at the church.  A Christian Mothers Altar Society rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a vigil service at 7:00, both on Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested for masses.  Condolences and memories of Sophia may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com