Walter was born March 23, 1931 to August and Mary (nee Wilde) Diederichs on their homestead east of Cudworth. He lived in and around Cudworth for the vast majority of his 87 years, farming, building and supporting his family. Walter was a deeply loved and appreciated husband, father and grandfather.
Walter leaves to mourn his wife Joy (nee Isinger). They were married in July 1953 and together built a loving home for their six children. He will be deeply missed by Jim (Brenda) of Peachland, BC and their children Kirsten of Melbourne, Australia and Brett of Toronto; Tom (Shelley) and their children Lauren and Erica all of Calgary; Pete (Susan) and their children Victoria and Katie all of Edmonton; Jeff (Karen) and their children Matthew, Stephen and Anna all of Calgary; Cindy (Mario) and their children Eva, Lucas and Zachary all of Ottawa; as well as Colleen (Steven) and their children Julia, Jayna, Jeremiah and Lucas all of Calgary.
Walter started farming as a very young boy, driving a team of horses; he was a Saskatchewan farmer through and through. Always watching the weather and always eager to drive out and check the crops. Once the land was rented out, Walter and Joy undertook long trips crisscrossing Canada and the United States. They were known to show up unannounced hundreds of miles from home, which forced the creation of the Facebook page: Tracking Walter and Joy. As grandchildren crept up to being able to see over the steering wheel they looked forward to Grandpa teaching them to drive on the farm roads.
Dad was quiet, hardworking and helpful. When he was not farming or traveling he could be found outside, working around the yard, organizing his vehicles, building and renovating houses to his own designs. When the work was done, Dad was always ready to drive for an ice cream.
The Prayer Service for Walter will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Colin Roy. Services will be held at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Cudworth. Interment will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca
