Walter Anders

Son of Erna (nee Kolata) and Michael Anders, Walter was born October 13, 1933 in Garki, Poland. His parents were farmers of German descent. Walter’s schooling was interrupted by WWII. After the war ended, he and his family were refugees in Bielefeld, Germany, where Walter qualified as a Millwright and Industrial Mechanic.

Almost 70 years ago, Walter emigrated to Canada, arriving on June 17, 1956, with $17 in his wallet. He worked hard to save enough money for passage back to Germany if things didn’t work out in Canada. Fortunately, things did work out. Walter’s skills were in demand, and he worked at various jobs, including eight months in Elliot Lake at a logging camp, before joining the maintenance team at Rheem Canada in Hamilton. Walter worked at Rheem for over 30 years before retiring in 1991 as the Plant Engineer and Maintenance Manager.

From 1988 to 1997, Walter was elected as an Area Councilor and then as a Regional Councilor for Haldimand – Norfolk County during which time he gained a reputation for being fair, objective, and honest, with meticulous follow-through on his commitments. Walter served as Director and then Chairman of Hald-Nor Credit Union from 1990 to 2000, leading the credit union from provincial financial supervision to independent operation after assuming the role of Chairman. He served on the Mohawk College Industrial Trades Advisory Board from 1980 to 1990 and on the Hald-Nor Hydro Board.

Walter was a hands-on hobby farmer with 200 acres of cash crops, beef, and sheep in York, Ontario, where he lived much of his life. He was an active member of the York United Church, Cayuga Lions Club, and Cattlemen’s Association. Walter enjoyed curling at the Cayuga Curling Club and continued to cheer on Canadian curlers to the very last day of his life!

Walter loved to play euchre! He played multiple times during the week at the Stoney Creek Club 60, Barton Stone United Church, and Sackville Senior Centre, where he regularly employed his high-risk, hopefully high-reward strategy. Walter enjoyed the SAM (Stimulation, Activation and Motivation) program at the Good Shepherd Centre in Hamilton every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. He would joke that he hadn’t met Sam yet and was looking forward to meeting him. Walter attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Hamilton in 1956 and then rejoined in 2020, where he especially enjoyed the fellowship. Walter loved to go out for coffee (McDonald’s coffee is the best!) and especially enjoyed Swiss Chalet chicken dinners (two can dine for $19.99) and Harvey’s beautiful hamburgers.

Walter first saw Lois Reta Friend, his future wife, in 1959 while installing a flagpole at Aldershot Elementary School where Lois taught. They were married not six months later in July, 1959, and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2009. Unfortunately, Lois passed away shortly after their anniversary while they were on a Caribbean cruise. Walter fell in love with the lovely Grace Scheiber, a family friend and widow, in February, 2017, and they married in November, 2017. Grace and her family expanded Walter’s family. Walter and Grace travelled extensively, visiting the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia numerous times, and Australia (they loved the Great Barrier Reef). Grace passed away in August, 2025.

Walter is survived by his children, Jane Anders (Gerard Gauthier), Katherine Isaac (Ian Isaac), Karen Koop (Doug Koop), Walter Anders (Sarah Anders), Una Schieber (Mario Mulé), and their children, and two sisters-in-law, Maria Anders and Betty Watson. One of Walter’s favourite stories of time with his children was taking them to Germany and Poland to see his birthplace. Dad was absolutely delighted to meet Joe Clark, the former Canadian Prime Minister, at a lovely restaurant in Berlin. Walter is pre-deceased by his son Michael, his sisters Lieselotte Thannhaeuser, Waltraut Schlueter, Gerlinde Adam, and his brother, Werner Anders.

Walter was a long-term member of Andrews Harmony Masonic Lodge, No. 57, and a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason. A Masonic service will be held at Cresmount Funeral Home on April 13 at 1:30 pm.

Visitation is Monday, April 13th from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Cresmount Funeral Home (322 Fennel Avenue East, Hamilton, ON). Funeral service on Tuesday, April 14th at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church (232 Fennel Avenue East, Hamilton, ON). A private family burial will take place at Jubilee Cemetery in York, ON, at a future date.

Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Good Shepherd are welcomed by Walter’s family.