Services for Walter John Light of Grand Junction will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 4 at the Saint Brigid’s Cemetery in Grand Junction. Following the services at the cemetery, there will be a time of lunch and fellowship in the Saint Brigid’s Parrish Center.
Walter John Light was born Aug. 22, 1938, to George Arthur Light and Ethel Marie (Setterstrom) Light in Iowa City, Iowa.
He grew up in rural Gowrie, Iowa, and rural Calendar, Iowa.
Walt graduated from Gowrie High School in 1956 and farmed with his family for several years.
He joined the U.S. Iowa Army National Guard in 1957 as well as enrolling in mechanic school at Southeast Community College in 1961.
Walt married the love of his life, Claudia Marie Leonard, on Aug. 28, 1962, in Milford, Nebraska.
He graduated from mechanic’s school in 1963. After being honorably discharged on June 17, 1964, the couple moved to Grand Junction, Iowa.
They were blessed with three children, Keith, Charlene and Ryan.
Walt worked at Rueter and Zenor’s (now Rueter’s Red Power) for more than 40 years.
After retiring, he worked at Neese Inc. for two years.
In his spare time, Walt enjoyed restoring and showing antique tractors. His personal favorites were Theiman’s from Albert City, Iowa, and Minneapolis Moline. Walt also enjoyed Cushman Scooters, Marx Trains and antiquing in general.
He loved traveling and took vacations every summer throughout most of North America, including Canada and Alaska. Their traveling was mostly by car and pulling a camper or camping by tent.
Walt especially enjoyed visiting National Parks. In recent years, they took constant shorter trips to places off the beaten path and visiting the Freedom Rocks in Iowa.
On May 19, 2022, Walter died peacefully at his home in Grand Junction after a lengthy battle with several cancers.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Ethel Light; brother, Frank Light; and sister, Karen Light.
Walt is survived by his wife, Claudia of Grand Junction; son, Keith (Paula) Light of Perry and their children, Cayla, Megan, Ethan and Ceanna; daughter, Charlene Heater of Grand Junction and her children, Cassandra (Eric) Hickman, Allison (Zackary) McEntire, Fallon Heater and Blake Heater; son, Ryan (Melanie) Light of Shellsburg and their daughter, Molly Light; brother, Dean (Darlene) Light; sister, Janet Smith; sister-in-law, Donna Light; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations may be sent to the Grand Junction Fire and Rescue Service. Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson is in charge of the arrangements.
