Arland Walter, age 83, of rural Cavour, SD, died Monday, December 29, 2008, (on his 60th wedding anniversary), at the Huron Regional Medical Center.

His funeral mass will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2009, at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish with burial at St. Martin Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 1, from 5-7 p.m. at the Welter Funeral Home with the family present. A Scripture Service will begin at 7 p.m.

Arland Boyd Walter was born on May 30, 1925, to Raymond and Effie (Bloodgood) Walter in Huron, SD. The family was living on a farm south of Cavour at the time of his birth and he grew up there. He graduated from Cavour High School in 1943.

Following graduation he continued to live and work on the farm until his marriage to LaVonne Lowery on December 29, 1948, in Cavour. The couple lived on a farm in rural Cavour until 1965 when they moved back to the Walter family farm and took over its operation.

Arland was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Shorthorn Association, Farmers Union, and he was a 4-H leader. He loved his farm, the cattle, and working the land, but his love for his family always came first, especially with the grand- and great grandchildren. Arland was a kind, gentle, and considerate man who was always willing to help his neighbors and friends. One of his favorite times of the year was Christmas, and he also enjoyed playing horseshoes with his family. The South Dakota State Fair was an event that Arland attended every year - without fail. He loved to watch and interact with birds and pigeons, often building pigeon boxes and birdhouses. His memory was exceptional, especially while reciting poetry and poems that he had learned when he was a boy.

He is survived by his wife, LaVonne of rural Cavour; 3 sons, Stephen (Jodi) Walter of Huron, Keith Walter of Cavour, and Gregory (Diane) Walter of Huron; 3 daughters, Darial Loof ( Lanny Thomas) of Huron, Laura (Greg) Gogolin of Rosemount, MN, and Paula (Rick) Diegel of Edgeley, ND; 12 grandchildren, Shane Walter, Brandon Walter (Jill Laska), Desirae (Troy) Hovdestad, Lance Loof (Danielle Pettis), Chase Loof, Lincoln Walter, Nick Walter, Ben Gogolin, Mackenzie Gogolin, Brittany Diegel, Beau Diegel, and Trey Diegel; 2 great grandchildren, Kaycee Walter, and Stockten Walter; and 1 sister, Dolores Buskohl of Maple Valley, WA; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 sister, Marene Flyger; 1 son-in-law, Ivan Loof; and 2 brothers-in-law, Herman 'Slim' Buskohl, and Arden Flyger.