Walter E. Stohlgren

Walter E. Stohlgren, age 95, resident of Lake Forest, IL and lifelong resident of Des Moines, IA died on February 24, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Walter Stohlgren was the grandson of Swedish immigrants who settled in and around central Iowa and Des Moines. He was the youngest of five children born to Martin and Blanche Stohlgren. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church of Des Moines. His grandfather, Louis Stohlgren, had been instrumental in the building of the church. He attended Warren Harding Jr. HS and graduated from East High School in 1943. He enlisted in the US Army in 1943 and studied Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State College while in the Army Special Training Program (ASTP). From October ’44 to April ’46 he served in the 87th Infantry Division in the Ardennes and Rhineland campaigns. After VE Day and until his discharge in 1946, he was assigned to a POW camp in Luxembourg repatriating German soldiers back to Germany. Returning home, he met and married Frances Irving and built her a house on the west side of Des Moines. Together they raised their family and lived their dreams with family and friends in the heart of the land of opportunity. Walter Stohlgren was a successful mechanical engineer and enjoyed careers at Electrical Engineering and Equipment Co. and Pioneer Hi-bred International where he retired in 1986. During his nearly twenty years at Pioneer, he was responsible for planning, designing, and building their hybrid seed corn processing facilities in the United States and abroad. He was an avid furniture builder, including building toy trucks for kids & restoring a car or truck occasionally. He also enjoyed cribbage and pitch with his friends & grandchildren. He also loved Iowa sports teams, following politics, and a gin & tonic or two. Preceded in death by his wife, Frances Jean Stohlgren (Irving), parents Martin and Blanche Stohlgren, brothers Harold and Donald Stohlgren, sister Mildred Dugas, and nephew Skip Stohlgren. Survived by his sister Gladys Julstrom of Des Moines IA, son Kurt Stohlgren of Kansas City Mo., son Keith Stohlgren, daughter-in-law Camille Stohlgren, grandson Martin Stohlgren, and granddaughter Franca Stohlgren all of Lake Forest IL., and many nieces and nephews. No visitation. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on Saturday, February 27, 2020 at 11:30 am. Due to COVID and limitations to gatherings, all guest are required to register ahead of time if planning to attend in person at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040948acad22a1fe3-funeral30. You may livestream view the service on the Church of St. Mary-Lake Forest Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofStMaryLF/videos/. In lieu of flowers contributions in Walter’s memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 or tunneltotowers.org For additional information contact Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest, Illinois 847-234-9649 or www.RTfunerals.com.

Walter E. Stohlgren

October 27, 1925 - February 24, 2021