Walter Millar

 Walter Paton Millar, 99, passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at the Pembina County Memorial Hospital, in Cavalier, ND. He was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to James Harvey Millar and Mabel (Paton) Millar on April 21, 1920.
     Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at the Park Center-Walhalla Presbyterian Church, Walhalla, ND. Visitation will be held Monday, December 2, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will be held in the Hillside Cemetery in Walhalla, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Walhalla Ambulance Service or the Pembilier Nursing Center.
     Walter grew up in the Hyde Park area of Neche, ND. He attended Hyde Park Rural School #36 and graduated from Neche High School in 1938. He then worked for various farmers in the area until joining the US Marine Corps in August 1942. As a citizen of Canada, Walter had the distinction of being the first Marine that was not a naturalized citizen of the United States at the time of his enlistment. During World War II, he served in the South Pacific. He was formally discharged in October 1945. Walter became a US citizen in May 1946.
     After his discharge, Walter returned to North Dakota and resumed farming his grandfather’s homestead. He married Eileen Rosen on November 7, 1956. They raised three sons and one daughter. Walter retired from farming in 1982 but continued to help with harvest every year through his 93rd year. After his retirement from farming, he organized a Marine reunion for the men with whom he served. The reunions became an annual event and provided Walter and Eileen an opportunity to travel for the next 25 years.
     Walter was a lifelong member of the Park Center-Walhalla Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion; he served on the St. Joseph Township Board for many years. Walter enjoyed woodworking and did many handy-man jobs for friends and neighbors.
     Walter is survived by his children: Glen, Walhalla, ND; Allen, Rogers, AR; Wayne (Dianne), Wahpeton, ND; and Carol, St. Paul, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen, his brother, Burton Millar, and sister-in-law, Shirley Millar.

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