Walter "Wally" J. Speich, age 90, passed away on December 31, 2010, at Pleasant View Nursing Home. He had lived in his home until recently. He was born on the family farm in Sylvester Township on April 21, 1920, to the late Jacob and Ida (Wyss) Speich. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1939. On August 7, 1948 he was united in marriage to Dina Tasso at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe, WI.
He entered the U.S. Army in May 1942, serving in Africa, Italy and France. He was honorably discharged in Sept. 1945, returning to Monroe and established Pleasure Bend Bowling Alley with his brother-in-law Chuck Buehler. After selling his share of the business, he worked for Simmons Construction, Zwicker & Hayter Construction and was a long time employee of Kuhne Construction, before retiring in 1991. During retirement he worked part time at Fish Building.
In his younger years, Wally was an avid bowler and golfer. He was a member of Monroe Swiss Singers, American Legion Zilmer Riley Post #84 and Green County Harmony Chorus for 46 years. Wally always kept himself busy with work around the house, gardening, hobbies and spending time with his family. Wally and Dina took memorable trips to Switzerland, Italy and Canada. Wally's final years will be warmly remembered by many as a devoted husband who rarely missed a day visiting his wife Dina in the nursing home.
Wally is survived by his wife of 62 years. Son, Richard (Chandra) Speich, Monroe, grandchildren, Jason Speich, Snowmass Village, CO and Carmen (Mark) Halvorson, Spooner, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Louise (Ken) Creuzer, Esther (Bill) Haskell and Erma (Chuck) Buehler.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, Monroe from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:30, with the Rev. William T. Mike Heath officiating. Internment will be at Greenwood Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at 1:00 p.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall. A memorial fund has been established.
He entered the U.S. Army in May 1942, serving in Africa, Italy and France. He was honorably discharged in Sept. 1945, returning to Monroe and established Pleasure Bend Bowling Alley with his brother-in-law Chuck Buehler. After selling his share of the business, he worked for Simmons Construction, Zwicker & Hayter Construction and was a long time employee of Kuhne Construction, before retiring in 1991. During retirement he worked part time at Fish Building.
In his younger years, Wally was an avid bowler and golfer. He was a member of Monroe Swiss Singers, American Legion Zilmer Riley Post #84 and Green County Harmony Chorus for 46 years. Wally always kept himself busy with work around the house, gardening, hobbies and spending time with his family. Wally and Dina took memorable trips to Switzerland, Italy and Canada. Wally's final years will be warmly remembered by many as a devoted husband who rarely missed a day visiting his wife Dina in the nursing home.
Wally is survived by his wife of 62 years. Son, Richard (Chandra) Speich, Monroe, grandchildren, Jason Speich, Snowmass Village, CO and Carmen (Mark) Halvorson, Spooner, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Louise (Ken) Creuzer, Esther (Bill) Haskell and Erma (Chuck) Buehler.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home, Monroe from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:30, with the Rev. William T. Mike Heath officiating. Internment will be at Greenwood Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at 1:00 p.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall. A memorial fund has been established.