Walter Rasch, 91, of Sweet Home passed away on January 14, 2024. He was born to Christian and Lydia Rasch in Halliday, ND on May 13, 1932. Walt had eleven brothers and sisters, all of whom preceded him in death.
 
Early in his life, Walt worked on his family’s farm. North Dakota ‘s harsh weather and unforgiving terrain brought many challenges – all of which cultivated Walt’s penchant for diligence and hard work (though he may not have recognized that for some time).
 
Walt joined the Army during the Korean War, serving from 1953 – 1955. He held the rank of Private and worked in transportation. He drove the mail truck, which was no small feat.
 
After leaving the service, Walt worked for Potlatch Forest Inc., as a heavy equipment operator. He was always happy to share impressive, and sometimes astonishing, stories about the time he spent on logging sites.
 
Besides North Dakota, Walt made homes for his family in Idaho, Arizona, and finally Sweet Home, Oregon in 2009. He was happy to share his carpentry skills by helping build and repair churches and other structures, mainly in Arizona and the Navajo Nation. Walt was a big part of each community he belonged to and made an impact on many lives.
 
Walt had many other hobbies including wood working, beading, going to the gym, and rock hounding. He recognized the value of history and sought to impart it on others, especially his grandchildren.  When those grandchildren were still children, Walt and Eunice took them on a road trip from Arizona to North Dakota and every state in between. Their grandchildren had seen more museums in those weeks of travel than most people see in a lifetime. 
 
If I have to go to one more museum…, a sentence uttered by their grandson to his sister became a refrain that delighted Walt for the rest of his life. He told the story fondly for years.
 
Walt is survived by his wife of 66 years, Eunice; son Gerry; daughter-in-law, Melissa, granddaughter Meggan (Nick) Bailey, grandson Chris Rasch, sister-in-law Vaughn Rasch and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Roland, Otto, Art, George, Herbert, Albert, Richard Rasch; sisters: Edna Transtrom, Erna Knutson, Agatha Schossow.
  
Graveside service with military honors will be 1 pm Friday March 1st at Roseburg National Cemetery. A memorial will be 1 pm Saturday March 2nd at the Nazarene Church in Sweet Home. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association or Wounded Warriors Project. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com