Walter D. McEwen
January 09, 2013
Walter D. McEwen passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center West Lakes. A gathering of Family & Friends will be held on Sunday, January 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., in the atrium at Calvin Community, 4210 Hickman Road, Des Moines. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 14, at 10:30 a.m., at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 321 Euclid, Des Moines. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Walter was born November 28, 1915, in Sioux City, IA, to William and Ruth McEwen. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1933. In 1938, he graduated from Simpson College with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he worked for the Jewel Tea Company. He also sold Electrolux Vacuum Cleaners and Dyna Shine Shoe Polish.
Walter was a veteran of W.W. II, serving in Germany. When he returned home he opened up a grocery store on the north side of Des Moines called Mac's Grocery. Later he operated a coin laundry called Mac's Big Bundle.
Walter was a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church for 66 years. He was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, The Masons, The V.F.W., The Iowa Grocer Association, The Coin Laundry Association, and the Woodward Parent Association. Walter was a blood donor, and as a final gift, an organ donor.
Walter is survived by his wife of 73 years, Laura (Decker) McEwen of Des Moines, and four daughters: Phyllis (Robert) Kaldenberg, Winterset, IA, Alice McEwen, Hewitt, TX, Betty McEwen (William King) Spring Hill, KS, and Joyce (Dennis) Dutton, Whitney, TX. He had six grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, William & Ruth McEwen; his sister, Phyllis Hope McEwen; his brother, Francis M. McEwen; a daughter, Nancy McEwen; and an infant grandson, Billy Hunerdosse.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Highland Park Presbyterian Church or Calvin Community.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Becky Schmeiser
01/22/2013
Dear Aunt Laura, Phyllis, Alice, Betty,and Joyce, I am sorry to hear that Uncle Mac has passed away. Have very fond memories of both our families getting together...especially during the holidays. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I love you all, Becky
Betsy Goetz
01/17/2013
Aunt Laura, I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Mac's passing. I really miss the days when you and Uncle Mac would come over to mom and dad's and sit around the table drinking coffee. I have great memories of those times, though. Please know that I am thinking of you. I will write soon. I love you, Betsy
Mary Lou Stout
01/14/2013
Laura & family:
I am so sorry to see that Walt died. You are in my thoughts and prayers. He was such a great guy and I have so-o-o-o many memories of good visits with him! He actually taught me much over all the years without even knowing it! I will never forget him and I always think of the two of you when I drive by one of the many houses and, of course, by Calvin. Life is way too busy and it's not a good thing! I am sorry I have not stopped in to visit.
Take care, I care!
Mary Lou
Deborah (Grimes) Alms
01/13/2013
Sending our sincere sympathy to the McEwen family. Fond memories from childhood days.(daughter of Joe and Ruth Grimes.)
Leslie (Grimes) Wooden
01/13/2013
So sorry to hear of your loss. I have many cherished memories of our families gatherings when we were children.
Elaine (McEwen) Snyder
01/13/2013
Sincere sympathy from the Alabama McEwen families,
(children of Noel and Gwen McEwen).
Bunny Steinmetz
01/13/2013
Laura and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I fondly remember Walter and your whole family from my childhood days. My thoughts are with you.
Bunny (Grimes) Steinmetz
Debbie Killinger
01/12/2013
Laura and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you, fondly.
Debbie (Roush) Killinger and Steve Roush
Dick and Karen Shaffer
01/12/2013
Please accept our sincere sympathy on the death of Walt. He and Laura were such very good friends of our parents Harold and Agnes Shaffer, and were so very good to Mom after Dad's passing. We remember the Christmas rides to see the lights and have coffee and cookies at our house afterwards. We also remember the many many egg cartons full of golf balls, and when he was wanting to move to Calvin Manor asking Dick every time he saw him "has our name come up yet?" What a neat man.
We are in Alabama on our winter vacation and will be unable to attend the services, but our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Love to you all
Tom Longden
01/12/2013
Phyllis, my sympathy to you and everyone in your family. Your father's passing reminds me of the good old days in our section of Des Moines and at Saylor Elementary School.
Jane (Coffin) Beebe
01/11/2013
Walter was a friend of my father's Lyle Coffin. They had many visits before my father's passing. He was a good man and a good friend. May blessings be with you, the family.