Trevis, Walter E., age 94 of Farmington/Rosemount passed away on 10/14/2010 from leukemia complications. Preceded in death by brothers John, William, Robert, Jerome and James Trevis, sister Jean Gephart, and Grandchildren Monica Haugley and Ryan Sauer. Survived by Marie, wife of 64 years; children Robert (Marcia), Gary (Cheryl), Janine (Wayne) Dahmes, James (Chris), Walter (Carolyn), Diane (Jeff) Oesterreich, Edward (Paula), and Marilyn (Mike) Sauer; 12 Grandchildren; 11 Great Grandchildren; and sisters Louise Mueller and Marge (LeRoy) Kehrer. Mass of Christian Burial was 11 a.m. Monday, October 18, 2010 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Rosemount, MN with Father Tom Hill officiating.
Walter, or "Charlie" as he was affectionately called, was truly one of the Greatest Generation. Born November 4, 1915 in St. Paul, he grew up in a family of nine during the Great Depression, and lived on various farms in Dakota County. He later served for four years during World War II in North Africa and Italy, and lost a brother to that conflict. He married his brother's widow upon returning home, and spent the next six decades being a loving, giving husband to Marie. Their incredible marriage has been an inspiration to their eight children, who strive to practice the virtues that their father embodied—love, sacrifice, integrity, honesty, and compassion. Walter was a dairy farmer for almost 30 years. He loved the land and said he felt close to God as he worked its surface and reaped its rewards. A devout Catholic, he was a parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Rosemount for most of his life. Upon retirement his family built a house across the road from where he grew up and lived most of his life. He was able to enjoy 30 years of retirement, and spend the time with his children and grandchildren that the demands of the dairy farm had sometimes denied. Walter and Marie traveled in their golden years, and enjoyed trips to Hawaii, the Canadian Rockies and Italy. Walter loved the Twins, valued the long friendships of his neighbors and reveled in seeing the seasons change. Above all, Walter was a family man. He loved his wife and children to his last breath. Some would say that at best, he lived a simple life. Walter would say he simply lived the best life. Memorials preferred to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 13900 Biscayne Ave. W, Rosemount, MN.