Walter Griest, Age 81

Walter Reed Griest was born January 11, 1934 to Loris and Madge (Reed) Greist at St. Johns Hospital in Salina, KS. He passed away on Saturday, June 13 at the age of 81 at the Mitchell Co. Hospital with his wife and three daughters by his side.
Reed grew up in Minneapolis, KS, graduating from Minneapolis High School in 1952. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953-1954 but was honorable discharged due to an injury. He returned to Minneapolis where he drove a concrete/sand truck and then served as a Minneapolis Police Officer for four years.
Reed married Jolene Davidson on June 11, 1955. To this union four children were born: Donny, Tammy, Stacy and DeeDee. Reed and Jolene moved to Glasco in 1963 where they made their home on a farm northwest of Glasco. He enjoyed the farming life and drove the school bus for 12 years.
After Jolene's death in 1993, Reed married Marilyn (Tullar) Mauch in 1994. After Reed's retirement in 1997, they moved to Marilyn's childhood farmstead south of Jewell, where he remained until the time of his death.
A passion and major accomplishment of Reed's was his collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia. He loved to share stories and viewings of his display of over 500 items.
Surviving Reed is his wife Marilyn of the home; three daughters, Tammy Shaw and husband Rick of Selden, KS, Stacy Prater and husband Bob of Assaria, KS, and DeeDee Becker and husband Wolfe of Salina, KS; brother Dick Griest and wife Irene of Corpus Christi, TX; daughter-in-law Roberta Griest of Minneapolis, KS; ten grandchildren, Koryn Murry, Adam Griest, Cody Shaw, Casey Shaw, Corey Shaw, Jenna Prater, Joel Prater, Abby Giersch, Dalton Becker, and Dylan Becker; eleven great-grandchildren and a host of friends and other relatives.
Preceding Reed in death were his parents, his first wife Jolene, and his son Donny who passed away in August of 2014.
Visitation will be Tuesday, June 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Kleppinger Funeral Home, 409 Broadway in Jewell, KS (which are handling arrangements). Funeral Services will be Wednesday, June 17 at 1:30 pm at Jewell Trinity United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow at the Glasco Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Post Rock Humane Society or Solomon Valley Hospice.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA