Walter Michael Heise

Walter Michael Heise went to his heavenly home on March 23, 2025. Walter will be deeply missed by his beloved wife Annette (Fries) and all his nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Walter was born to Michael and Emilia (Hartz) Heise on September 3, 1925 on the family farm in the Haultain district of Saskatchewan. He relished being the youngest child for 9 years with his older brothers Bill and Herman but then slowly adjusted to being bumped to middle child when his two younger siblings Bob and Betty were born. As a child he was his mother’s helper and loved finding wood for the fire and carrying in the water but especially loved when he had time to just go play in the sand pile behind the caragana trees.

Walter started his farming career in the Haultain District and then in 1957 moved to the Glenmaur area of Blucher District where he farmed with his brothers Bill and Bob, then in later years his nephew David. Bill’s children (Karen, David and Elaine) and Betty’s children (Tim, Jeff and Linda) and even his much younger cousin Louise spent many happy childhood hours with Walter and his brother Bob as the fun-loving bachelor uncles living just a mile across the road from brother Bill’s farm. Walter especially loved water so there were lots of water fights and other fun things on that farm instigated by Walter and in later years that served us well as Walter spent many hours washing dishes or mopping floors or decks at his own home or one of his nieces. When they were teenagers Betty’s children came every summer from Kamloops to spend time at their bachelor uncles’ farm as it really was a fun and lively place. Walter was also Mr Fix it and was the “go to” guy for fixing their old machinery or just loved tinkering with anything to make it work or take it apart to figure out how it worked.

In later years, after their father Michael passed away who they had cared for through his Alzheimer’s journey, then Walter and Bob were able to move to the city and especially enjoyed the opportunity that gave them for square dancing which was a much-loved weekly activity all winter long for many years. Walter first started corresponding with Annette who lived in Regina and did so for 19 years and finally was blessed to join with Annette in marriage on July 14, 1990 turning the 65-year-old confirmed bachelor into a contented and happily married man for 34 years and 8 months. They first lived in Regina for a couple of years and then moved back to Saskatoon and lived in their own home and for the past 18 years at Elim Lodge in their own condo.

Walter’s later years were blessed with great nephews and nieces and that gave his playful heart so much joy as he spent many hours playing on the floor with them when they were little and buying them little trucks and cars and whatever else Walter thought “he” would enjoy playing with them. As Walter aged and the great nephews and nieces became older, Walter enjoyed just visiting with them and was so happy when they made time to come visit and bring their friends or partners as Walter just loved young people and like hearing about what was going on in their lives and meeting the people who were part of his great nephews and nieces lives. Walter enjoyed annual visits from his nephew Tim who came from Calgary each fall or summer visits with Annette’s nephew Chris and family from Winnipeg. Walter so loved family birthday parties and Christmas and Easter or just anytime where the family got together.

Walter was also a man of great faith and would quote the 23rd Psalm and other bible passages or parts of hymns or prayers he learned in his youth, sometimes in English and sometimes in German which was his first language. One of his other favourite German sayings was “langsam und stetig gewinnt das Rennen“....“slow and steady wins the race“, so as Walter aged he used that saying often which was maybe part of the reason he was able to keep himself going for 99 plus years. Also Walter loved to exercise and even in his 90‘s could be found down on the floor doing stretches or walking the hallways of his condo. Walter had a joyful personality and loved to laugh and have fun so there may be many reasons he was blessed with 99 plus years on this earth.

But above all Walter had such a kind and compassionate heart so was a beloved husband and treasured uncle and great uncle to us all. May Walter now find peace in his heavenly home joined once again with all his family he loved so well.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in

the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil;

my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Arrangements in care of Ryan Lensen