Walter C.D. Heinert the son of Chris and Annetta (Reister) Heinert was born April 5, 1923 at the Heinert home in rural Parmelee, South Dakota. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith on April 15, 1923 and was confirmed on September 5, 1937. Walter attended Reis School from first through eighth grade and then attended Parmelee High School for two Years.

Walter married Erna Weiss at St. Johns Lutheran Church at Norris, SD on April 15, 1945. They were blessed with two children Doris and Howard. Walter and Erna farmed and ranched in the Parmelee, SD area until retirement when they moved to Valentine.

Walter was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church near Norris where he served as a church elder and trustee and served on the cemetery and building committee. After moving to Valentine he attended Our Saviour Lutheran Church. Walter served on the FSA Board, LaCreek Electric Board, and Wheat Board. He enjoyed hunting and fishing (if they would bite), square dancing, baseball and playing cards especially pitch.

Walter passed away August 23, 2012 at Cherry County Hospital in Valentine. He was preceded in death by his parents Chris and Annetta Heinert, Sister Martha Hanson, and brother-in-law Elmer Hanson. He will be dearly missed by wife Erna of Valentine, daughter Doris Lenser and husband Lonnie, son Howard Heinert and wife Nette, grandchildren Brenda (George) Honeycutt, Tammy Eggleston, Brigett (Cory) Sargent, Lonnie Lenser Jr., Tonya (Charlie) Carr, Toby Heinert, Chris Heinert and Beau Heinert. Also surviving are great grandchildren; Klancey, Klayton, Kelsey Honeycutt, Quincy &
Kinzie Eggleston and Payton Sargent.

Funeral service for Walter Heinert was held Monday, August 27, 2012 at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Valentine. Burial was at St. Johns Cemetery in Norris, South Dakota. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with funeral arrangements.