Walter Mehlhaff, 91, of Hot Springs died Monday, May 6 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Walter was born May 18, 1921 in Sharon Township, Hutchinson County, S.D. to Fredrich and Emilie (Koth) Mehlhaff. He was seventh of ten children and grew up on the family farm that was homesteaded by his Mehlhaff grandparents. Walter worked for Marshall Wells Hardware Store in Tripp, S.D. before going into the service in 1942. He received an honorary high school diploma from Tripp High School on September 2000 in recognition of him as a WWII veteran.

At the age of 21 he was drafted into the army. He served as a rifleman on the front line in an infantry rifle company, Co. A, 16th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was involved in six major campaigns through Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe and Rhineland. He was a part of two amphibious landings, D Day, H Hour, at Gela, Sicily, July 10, 1943 and D Day, H Hour, Omaha Beach, Normandy, June 6, 1944. The 1st Division fought through France and Belgium into Germany. In Stolburg, Germany Walter was captured and taken prisoner by German soldiers on September 19th, 1944. He was interned at Stalag XII A by Limberg, Germany and later transferred to Stalag III C Altdrewitz near Kustin, Germany until January 31, 1945. While being transferred to a different location he and his fellow inmates overpowered the guards and escaped. He made his way through Germany, Poland and Russia. In Odessa, Russia he caught a ride on a British ship that took him to Naples, Italy. He boarded an American ship, Mariposa, and came to the United States on leave. He landed in Boston on April 8th, 1945. On July 4th 1945 he was discharged from the army.

Walter then came to Hot Springs where he began his career at the VA Medical Center and worked for 31 years until he retired in 1976. He married Delma Hannan on April 2, 1949 in Hot Springs where they made their home for 64 years. They raised four children, Dennis, Ivan, Carol and Sharon. Walter enjoyed being involved in their various activities and encouraged his children to participate in church, school, scouting and 4-H. He then encouraged them to achieve a college education and become productive citizens. His greatest joy in life was his family and traveling on family vacations.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and four sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Delma, Hot Springs; sons Dennis (Marcia) Mehlhaff, Stockton, Kansas; Ivan (Joyce) Mehlhaff, Woodland Park, Colorado; daughters Carol (Rick) McGraw, Pueblo, Colorado; Sharon (Leo) Kalvels, Central Point, Oregon; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Walter was a member of The United Churches, America Ex-Prisoners of War, Society of the First Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment Association, American Society of the French Legion of Honor, Disabled American Veterans, past member of the American Legion.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 2013, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 10, 2013, at United Churches in Hot Springs with Pastor Clint Walker officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery near Oral, SD.

Memorials may be made to The United Churches, Hot Springs, and Northern Plains Eye Foundation research, Rapid City.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made to www.mccolleyschapels.com.