Avis M. Walter

Avis M. Walter, 90, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2020 at Rosewood on Broadway in Fargo, ND.

Avis Mae Hagberg was born on May 11, 1930 to Adrid and Clara (Miller) Hagberg in Buffalo Lake, MN. She graduated from Buffalo Lake High School in 1948. She went on to attend St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and majored in Music and Education. On June 29, 1951 she married Richard Walter before he entered the Navy. She completed her degree at St. Olaf in 1952 and accepted her first teaching jobs in Pensacola, FL, and Virginia Beach, VA, where Richard was stationed.

Following Richard’s service, they moved to Crystal, MN, where Avis taught in the Robbinsdale school system, while Richard got his degree from the University of Minnesota.  In 1960 they moved to Red Wing, MN, where she taught for 29 years until her retirement, most of those years with fourth graders at Sunnyside Elementary School.

During their 61 years of marriage, they enjoyed boating on the Mississippi, golfing at the Red Wing Country Club, playing cards with their Bridge clubs, and supporting their boys in school & sports.  Avis was an active singer with the Red Wing Madrigals and supported other events at the Sheldon theater.  She was an amazing pianist who would play anything by ear for her family and friends.  They were life-long members of United Lutheran Church in Red Wing where both boys were confirmed.  They stayed connected with their parents and siblings through holiday gatherings and the annual Hagberg (aka Swhagter) week at the lake.

Following retirement in 1989, they started travelling the country in their RV, and in 1997 upgraded to a winter trailer home in Apache Junction, AZ.  When back from Arizona, they rarely missed a grandchild’s concert or sporting event, and Avis served on the Art History Club in Red Wing.  Avis was also known for her baking with Penuche cakes for birthdays, famous tea-ring shaped for the holiday, and frosted sugar cookies as the annual decorations for the Christmas tree.

Avis was preceded in death by her parents, Adrid and Clara, husband, Richard, and brothers, Stanley and Dale.

She is survived by her sons, Jon (Stephanie) Walter and James (Rebecca) Walter; grandchildren, Brittany (Bryce) Peterson, Benjamin (Jessica) Walter, Jamie (Jack) Breckner, Madalyn Walter, and Alexandra Walter; great-grandchildren, Lane, Soren and Tait Peterson and Audrey and Charlotte Walter; brothers, Ralph (Ruby) Hagberg and Arild (Betty) Hagberg, and Stanley’s wife, Yvonne.

A small, private family service will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. A livestream will be available here where you can also find an online guestbook and video tribute.

The family is planning a burial in Oakwood Cemetery, Red Wing, MN, next summer that can hopefully be open to the public.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to United Lutheran Church in Red Wing or St. Olaf College in Northfield to promote women’s education.

St. Olaf College

c/o St. Olaf Fund

1520 St. Olaf Ave

Northfield, MN 55057

go.stolaf.edu/givenow

United Lutheran Church

628 W. 5^th Street

Red Wing, MN 55066

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