Walter J. House, age 74 of the Township of Pella, passed away Tuesday morning, November 4, 2025 at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, Appleton.
Walter Joseph House was born December 28, 1950, son to the late Guy Russell and Viola Ruth (Howerton) House, in Jerseyville, IL. He attended Forman High School in Manito, IL and was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at Trinity Lutheran Church. As a youth, he enjoyed collecting arrowheads on the family farm. He was a member of the local FFA and his church’s youth group. Walter left high school at the age of 17 to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he served with the Special Forces, 101st Airborne, as a helicopter crew chief; and served two tours in Vietnam for a total of 364 days. He met Darla K. Schwenke while they were both serving in Stuttgart, Germany, and were later married at The Embers restaurant in the lower level of the Mercantile Building in Clintonville, on April 20, 1983. After he left the military, he worked as an aeronautical engineer for Raytheon, Beech Aerospace, and L3 Vertex. In his role with these aerospace companies, Walter was fortunate and proud to have traveled to almost every country around the world. He enjoyed learning about other cultures and would share his experiences with his family. He was a very active man, and enjoyed playing sports with his sons when they were young. He was also their Boy Scout leader, and helped them earn their Eagle Scout badges. In his later years, Walter liked to go camping in his travel trailer and later motor home, and fishing on the Pella pond. He also enjoyed woodworking, fixing things, and spending time with his grandchildren. Walter had a great sense of humor and got a kick out of playing tricks on his family, and also loved the comedy of one of his favorite movies, Forrest Gump.
Walter is survived by his loving wife Darla of 42 years.
Children: Paul (Vickie) House, Collinsville, IL; Christopher (Alyssa) House, Collierville, TN; and James (Christina) House, Clintonville
Grandchildren: Michael, Gabriel, Zoe, Lennon, Ashleigh, Steven Christian, and Addleigh
Sisters: Dorothy Kreiling of Forest City, IL; Patricia Schuchardt of Springfield, IL; and Mary VanBebber, also of Springfield, IL
Brothers: Russell House of Sun Prairie, WI and Rex House of Arizona
Brothers-in-law: Dennis (Nancy) Schwenke and Daren Schwenke
Sisters-in-law: Debbie (Dave) Buchert, Diane (Rick) Sauer, and Donna Abresh
Mother-in-law: Elverna Schwenke
Many nieces, nephews, and other relatives
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Steven Michael House; sisters, Barbara Melton, Betty Allison, Kathy Moon, and Margaret Landers; a brother, George House; and his father-in-law Donald Schwenke.
Funeral services will be held 12 PM Monday, November 10, 2025, at St. Martin Lutheran Church, Clintonville with the Rev. Jason Zobel officiating. Military honors will be conducted by VFW Post #664, American Legion Post #63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, all of Clintonville. Interment will take place at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Embarrass immediately following the service.
Visitation will take place Sunday November 9, at St. Martin Lutheran Church, Clintonville from 4-7 PM, and again on Monday from 11AM until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Walter’s name are preferred to be directed to St. Martin Lutheran Church, Clintonville.
The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting the House family with arrangements.
An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.
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