Walter A. Fazer

Walter “Wally” Anthony Fazer, age 95, of Powers, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at his home in Powers. Wally was born on March 25, 1923 in Powers to John and Mary (Schneider) Fazer. He graduated from Powers Spalding High School in 1941, and attended St. Lawrence Seminary in Mt. Calvary, WI until he was drafted into WWII in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army in Company C of the 778th Battalion. This battalion joined with General Patton’s third Army and served 176 consecutive days on the front lines. During the Battle of the Bulge, he, Wally, was wounded in the Saur Basin. He spent time in hospitals in Paris, London, Texas, and Michigan. After 14 months in V.A. Hospitals, Wally was discharged from Percy Jones Hospital in Fort Custer, MI. He received an honorable discharge with the European – African – Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, Bronze Campaign Star, Good Conduct Medals, and the Purple Heart.

On June 6, 1949, Walter married Charlene Peterson. They had 3 daughters, Cheryl Fazer Baumann, Michele Fazer Danielson, and Marcia Fazer Hench.

He started work in the woods with his dad at an early age, and shortly after being discharged from the Army, his dad gave him the keys and said that Wally was in charge. Thus began 50 years in the logging business. He supplied all of the logs for Pine Timber Company in Spalding. During this time period, he was working with the U.S. Steel. They shipped 2 million feet of select elm to Amsterdam. Wally furnished logs to mills in Marquette, Munising, Ironwood, Ishpeming, and locally. He cut the last stand of virgin pine in Menominee County. 200,000 board feet of lumber were cut from the pines.

After the death of Elmer “Bud” Potter in 1961, he was part owner and manager of Pine Lumber Sawmill. Walter represented State Farm Insurance from 1948-1965, Farmers Insurance Group and Pioneer Insurance from 1965-1997 in Michigan and Wisconsin with offices in Powers and Iron Mountain. He received many awards while with Farmers Insurance Group. Wally especially liked working with his truck accounts. He was active in politics, representing the 11th District as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Miami in 1972. Wally was instrumental with Phil Ruppe to keep the Powers post office and State Police Post in Stephenson open. He attended many Republican Conventions throughout the years. On November 27, 1970, he married the former Marilyn Beaudoin Dault. They spent time in Hawaii, with extensive travel in Europe and Asia.

The Fazer’s spent 24 winters in their home in Green Valley, AZ. Walter enjoyed his cactus garden and fishing in Mexico. They made many good friends while there. As a world-wide traveler, his special times were: attending the 50th Anniversary of D-Day; on a bus tour through England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and into Germany (Liberation Trail) with 40 other veterans and family members; also, a trip to Washington, D.C. with the Honor Guard of Michigan to view the WWII memorial. Family times were special with most living away from the area. Wally enjoyed holding each of the 5 great-grandchildren born in 2017.

He was a member of St. John Neumann Parish in Spalding, Tony Revord American Legion Post #244, Military Order of the Purple Heart #1879 of Iron Mountain, MI, and former member of the Elks Lodge #354 in Escanaba. He loved spending time at camp on the River Road and on his 80 acres tree plantation.

Walter A. Fazer is survived by his wife, Marilyn Fazer; daughters, Sherry (Bill) Baumann, Shelly (Jim) Danielson, and Marcia (Rob) Hench; step-daughters, Kathy Dault, and Julie Dault (Johnnie) Washington; step-son, John (Lori) Dault; 11 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; sister, Anna Mae Fazer; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Walter was preceded in death by his sisters, Theresa and Bernie; and brothers, John, Raymond, Clarence, Louis, and Joe.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (CST), Monday, April 23, 2018 at St. John Neumann Parish in Spalding. Military Honors will be conducted at 3:00 pm, by the Tony Revord American Legion Post #244. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:00 pm (CST), Monday, at St. John Neumann Parish with Father Jacek Wtyklo officiating. A luncheon will be served afterward in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in the Spalding Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials please be directed to the Walter Fazer Scholarship Fund to be established at North Central High School. 

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