Walter Lloyd Rosdahl

Walter Lloyd Rosdahl was born June 28, 1942 to Charles W Rosdahl and Sarah Helen (Nellie) Lloyd Rosdahl at home in Central, Idaho. He was the only child born to this couple and the 15th child in the family.

Walter grew up on the farm in Central, hunting rock chucks, roaming the outdoors with his faithful pal, Flash. He would take a sandwich and be gone for the day. His dad would pay him a penny for each tail he brought home and it was enough money to keep him in 22 shells. He would take the money he earned and go to the Central Store, buy .22 shells for $0.50, a Coca-Cola for $0.05 and a bag of Planter Peanuts for $0.05.  He and Flash would sit on the steps of the store and enjoy his cola and peanuts.  Flash died in an accident and his dad gave him another special dog, a cocker spaniel, named Pal. When Walt was a little older, he had a horse named Paint. Walt would ride Paint around the 160 acres of his dad’s farm, hunting and enjoying the outdoors.

Walt talks about the winters when the snow was over the fences, and he would walk along holding onto the telephone lines brushing off the snow and ice. He would walk with his dad to the store for groceries and the mail.  Walt went to Grace Elementary, grades 1-6, he went to Grace Jr High 7 and 8. He was the shortest one in his class, he didn’t grow until he was in the 8th grade. During his Senior year at Grace High School, Walt grew to 6'1". He met his eternal companion, Peggy Smith, that year.  Walter was a senior and Peggy was a freshman.  

Walt graduated from Grace High School May 1960.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp.  He was honorably discharged as a Corporal (E-4) in 1966.

Walt went to basic training at the Marine Corp. Recruiting Depot San Diego California, and continued his training as an aircraft electrician at the Jacksonville Florida Naval Air Station. He was transferred to El Toro Marine Corp. Air Base, 3rd Marine Air-wing in Santa Ana, California. He worked on the electrical components of the KC 130 aircraft, keeping them in the air and safe to fly. Walt was active during the Cuban crisis and was listed on the last aircraft to leave El Toro. Walt completed his Marine Corp. enlistment in Sept 1964. (He spent four years’ active Marines and two years’ Marines Reserve.)

He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve 96th Army Reserve Command QuarterMaster Unit in 1973 serving until April 1996.

Walt was attached to the Pocatello Idaho 96th  Army Reserve Command, QuarterMaster Unit. He transferred to the Arcadia California 92nd  Army Reserve Command, QuarterMaster Unit as an Army Food Inspector. Then transferred to a unit in the Denver Colorado Area 96th Army Reserve Command, QuarterMaster Unit  as a Food Inspector Technician.

He was an active reserve during the Desert Storm War. He was honorably discharged from USAR with the rank of Army Staff Sergeant (E-6) in 1996, for a total of 29 years active duty service. (The men in his Pocatello unit were all temple recommend holders, they all shared the same goals in life.)

He was proud to have served our country in both the Marine Corp. and the Army Reserves.

Semper Fi

Walt proposed to Peggy over the telephone in October 1961 and his mother, Nellie, put the engagement ring on her finger. They were married on December 18, 1961 in the Logan Temple. They moved to Santa Ana California a week later.  Jon Walter was born the next year in Orange, Orange California.

Walt and Peggy returned to Idaho where he worked during the potato harvest for $1.25/hr.  He worked for Warren King during the day and Jr Allen on the night shift. Vincent Milton joined the family. They lived in Thatcher Idaho at this time.

Walt and Peggy moved to the Floyd Banks ranch in Chesterfield, Idaho where he worked with Floyd on the cattle ranch. Chesterfield is a long distance from anywhere. Walt worked for El Paso for a short time, and they lived in Central Idaho. Later he was employed by his uncle, Dean Lloyd. His final employment was with Monsanto Chemical Company in Soda Springs, Idaho.  

Sandalyn was born while they lived in a trailer home next to the Edwin Smith property (Hooper Ave). Ray Byron joined the family while living in Soda Springs.  Walt and Peggy continued to live in Soda Springs until Walt retired from Monsanto.  After retirement, they moved to Smithfield, UT.

Walt enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping with his boys and watching his children’s sports activities, he attended many events traveling several miles to support them. He loved to read and stated he read every book in the Grace Library. He was a great card player and loved playing cards with family and friends. He enjoyed going out to eat and spending time with others. Walt enjoyed traveling, visiting Europe, Mexico, Canada and many states here in America. However he stated “There’s no place like Home,” unless it’s the Dike. Walt and Peggy had many years of fun at their property north of Soda Springs referred to as “The Dike '' and also good times at their two-timeshares in SLC, where they loved to have grand-kids and great-grand-kids come for Bingo parties and visits.

Walt attended night classes at Idaho State University and took on-line courses completing his Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Walt was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in several positions,  Young Men's President, Cub Master, Primary teacher, Bishop Counselor x2, Stake Clerk, High Counselor, Temple Prep Teacher and Temple Ordinance worker, serving in the Logan temple for several years until his health would not permit him to continue. Walt and Peggy served two missions, one in the Arcadia California office, 1997-1999, Washington, D.C. Temple 2001-2002. They were there and heard the plane hit the Pentagon during the 9-11 attacks. Walt stated serving in the DC Temple was like serving in the Logan temple for 3 1/2 years 5 - 6 days a week. He was called to serve in the Bishopric in the Rock Creek Ward while on the DC temple mission.
 
Walt retired from Monsanto in July 1997 and they moved from Soda Springs to Logan Utah. Then in 2000 they moved to Smithfield Utah.

Walt is survived by his wife Peggy, and children, Jon Walter (Bonnie) Rosdahl; Vincent Milton (Kristi) Rosdahl, and Sandalyn (Russ) Whitaker, twenty-five grandchildren, Jonie (John) Sumsion, Charli (Owen) Johnston, Jessie Rosdahl, Anders Jon (Aldina) Rosdahl, Ellie (Ryan) Van Pelt, Annie (Matt) Longman, Devan Vincent (Margarita) Rosdahl, Dallin Lloyd (Allison) Rosdahl, Vindie Vilate (Lincoln) Fleming, Dillon Scott (Skye) Rosdahl, Veronica (Bryan) Whiting, Declan Charles (Shelby) Rosdahl, Victoria Rosdahl, Dewlin Jeffrey (Grace) Rosdahl, VeNae Rosdahl, Victoria (James) Gregory, Angie Guerra, Christopher Lynn (Leah) Guerra, Valerie Guerra, Dorothy (Brian) Swindelhurst, Walter Ray (J’lene) Haynie, Austin James Haynie, Eliza Rose Haynie, Melanee (Branden) Wilson, Russell Braylee (Hannah) Whitaker, and 50 great grandchildren!  He was preceded in death by his son, Ray Byron, his brothers and sisters, Baby Boy  Rosdahl, Glen Charles Rosdahl, Milo Waldermer Rosdahl, Mildred Anna Rosdahl Montague, Alta Zina Rosdahl Qualman, Arva Lue Rosdahl Ward, Marva Anna Rosdahl Hammond, Sybil Ann Rosdahl Woychowski, Byron Anderson Rosdahl, Howard Lloyd Bowler, Melba Lloyd Bowler Dygert, Beth Lloyd Bowler Christensen, Orson Lloyd Bowler, Helen Lloyd Bowler Bennett, a great grandson and by several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Walt will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Smithfield South Stake Center, 451 S 250 E, Smithfield, Utah.  A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the church.  The interment will be at the Central Cemetery in Idaho.

Walt's funeral service can be viewed below.