Walter "Lefty" H. Hausfeld, 90, passed away peacefully at the Miller House in Celina on Aug. 8, 2014.

He was born on Nov. 27, 1923, to Albert and Bernadina Wendeln Hausfeld.

He is survived by a sister, Alfrieda "Fritz" Albers, Maria Stein, and a brother, Tony (Cathy) Hausfeld, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Deceased are an infant sister Rose; a sister, Mary Ann Depweg; and two brothers, Cyril and Gerald Hausfeld.

He was a 1941 graduate of St. John's High School. After high school he was employed at Copeland Refrigeration Corp., Sidney, and then drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. His advanced basic training was spent attending Texas A&M University.

After successfully completing the Army's accelerated mechanical engineering program, he was sent to the European Theater and assigned to an ordnance repair unit in the 82 Airborne Division. His time overseas was spent in France and Germany repairing and servicing a variety of battle-damaged vehicles. His service awards include the Bronze Star.

He returned to the U.S. and then was discharged in February 1946. After residing in Maria Stein for several months, he was recalled to active military duty and served another six months as an ordnance instructor at Fort Knox, Ky.

Following the completion of his military obligation, he held several short-term jobs including a return to Copeland Refrigeration Corp. for three years and three years at Monarch Machine. He had his own Pet Milk Route for several years.

In October 1955, he began his long-term employment with New Idea in the field service department. During his 30-plus year career, he was based and worked out of a number of New Idea branch offices in the West and Midwest, ending his employment in Omaha, Neb.

He retired from New Idea at the age of 60. He remained in Omaha until September 2007. During the last years of his life, he resided at the Miller House in Celina.

He has been a long-time member of Maria Stein American Legion and Chickasaw VFW.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Maria Stein, the Rev. Gene Schnipke officiating. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery.

Calling is 5-8 p.m. today and 9-10 a.m. Tuesday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster.

Condolences may be sent to www.hogenkampfh.com.