On the morning of Tuesday September 8th, 2026, Heaven got quite a bit brighter, much wiser and a whole lot “punnier”. Pastor Eugene Walther, Siegel, entered the gates of Heaven to meet the God he spent his life studying, teaching and worshiping.
Eugene A Walther was born December 13, 1934 to Karl and Bertha (Stille) Walther. He was the 4th son of a Swiss immigrant farmer and a German descendent mother. They were a 52 Sundays a year church-goers, from whom he learned the discipline and nurture of law and love. From a toothless, aged church school teacher, he became aware of a love that is patient, gentle and kind, and spent his 91 years embracing that philosophy. His young beloved minister, who confirmed Eugene from his death bed challenged him to look inward and consider his future. His Confirmation verse was Revelations 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
This verse is so fitting for Eugene! He was welcoming to anyone and everyone, and was always excited about sharing a delicious meal. In fact, the last thing he ate was a bowl of ice cream with chocolate.
Eugene graduated from Plainfield High School, where as an awkward 6’1″ basketball star, he met the 5′ 1/2″ cheerleader who stole his heart. The feeling was mutual, and on July 25, 1954 they wed. They both attended Wartburg College, and from there moved to St Louis MO so Eugene could attend Eden Theological Seminary. He earned his Divinity Degree and was ordained into ministry at his home church, St John’s UCC Pleasant Hill. Immediately after his ordination, he performed his first official act as a minister by baptizing nephew Mark. He preached for a short time at the UCC Church in Fredericksburg. From there, he was called to preach in Fairbury, NE. The next call came from St John’s UCC Peotone, Illinois. It was in Peotone where they added Lori to their family, and three years later, Brian arrived. They were his pride and joy!
Eugene furthered his theological education at the University of Chicago, and accepted a call from the Melrose Park UCC Church. The two farm kids had enough life in the big city, so they moved to Rock Rapids Iowa where Eugene served both the UCC and Congregational churches. After three years there, brother in law Leland Alcock urged the search committee at St John’s UCC, Siegel to drive up to Rock Rapids and see what this vibrant Swiss/German farm boy turned minster had to say. Thanksgiving weekend in 1974 brought a moving truck full of books and the Walthers to Siegel. For forty-six years, they ministered to Siegel, focusing on nurturing and encouraging the youth of the church in their faith. Little Eugene quickly became a favorite of the entire congregation with his ability to solve a childhood catastrophe by relying on his own abilities.
Eugene loved traveling and in 1974 went to his beloved Switzerland where he took classes and visited family. He and Jean were also able to travel across Europe, Hawaii and Washington DC. When the grandkids came along, Eugene quickly became the kids’ favorite toy! He showed them that despite what Mr Rogers said, you can in fact “go down the drain”, he took them fishing, taught them honesty and integrity, shared his love of nature, taught them to be curious and to always have a desire to learn.
Eugene and VerJean retired a half mile north of the church at age 85, so they could still gaze at the church steeple that held so much meaning for them. His final act of ministry was uniting grandson Josh and wife Rachael in marriage just November of last year.
Eugene is survived by his beloved wife of over 72 years, VerJean, his devoted daughter, Lori Walther of rural Waverly and loving son Brian Walther of Los Angeles. His legacy also extends to his grandchildren, of whom he was so incredibly proud, Josh and Rachael Ackman, Bailey and Lucas Thorp, and Sam Ackman and Taylor Hanson. He is also survived by sister Frieda Davis and brother Richard Walther.
Welcoming him to Heaven were his parents, brothers Hans, Paul and Karli Walther, and sister AnnaMarie DeYoung.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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