Final Salute

Walter “Wallie” Theodore Meisner, Jr. died November 17, 2020 aged 84 at his home in Rio Verde, AZ surrounded by his loving family.

Wallie was born March 17, 1936 in Chicago, IL to parents Walter and Luella Meisner and graduated from Taft High School. He has been a fervent Chicago Bears fan all his life. Wallie attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated in 1958, becoming a life-long Badger fan. He was commissioned with the Navy upon graduation and served for two years active duty in Oak Harbor, Washington. After an additional 26 years active reserves, he retired from the military as a Navy Captain. Wallie married Gayle Schroeder, in 1958. Wallie and Gayle raised five children in Roseville, MN. They also lived in Washington, Nebraska, and Venezuela throughout Wallie’s 30 years of employment with 3M and retired to Hayward, WI in 1995. Wallie was especially interested in antique cars. He loved touring with car clubs in his restored 1931 Buick and his 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL.

Survived by his wife Gayle Schroder Meisner of Hayward and Rio Verde; son Wallie (Fiona) of Greensboro, NC; son Robert (Michele) of Menomonie, WI; daughter Amy Vidos (Vera) of Sun City, AZ; daughter Anne of Bloomington, MN; eleven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister Marijean Flom of Appleton, WI; and many other devoted family members.

Preceded in death by his mother and father, son Charlie, sister Marion Harker, and brother-in-law James “Jim” Schroeder.

Wallie’s ashes will be interred at The Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. A memorial service will be held for family and friends in Hayward, WI at First Lutheran on a date to be determined. Wallie’s family requests that any memorial donations be sent to Hospice of the Valley (Rio Verde), Community Church of the Verdes (Rio Verde), or First Lutheran Church (Hayward, WI).

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