Walter "Wally" George Pieschke, Jr

Walter “Wally” George Pieschke, Jr. ended his journey in this world as he passed away on the morning of September 21, 2024, at the age of 103 at his home surrounded by loved ones.

Wally is survived by his loving wife and partner of 75 years, Anna Maxine, his children Walter Pieschke III (Marilyn) of Farmington, New York, Dennis Pieschke (Virginia) of Charleston, South Carolina, Cheryl “Cherrie” Haven of Kingsley, Michigan, Cathie Morrison (Tim) of Williamsburg, Michigan, and brother-in-law Merrill Parsons. He will also be dearly missed by his 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, and he frequently said he always wished for even more grandchildren! He was preceded in death by his four treasured siblings (Marion, William, Robert and Carol) and dear son-in-law Lanny Haven.

Wally was born in the East side of Detroit, Michigan and proudly attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. His father served in active combat in WW I and Wally followed in his footsteps. Volunteering for the war effort as a college senior, he was a World War II veteran serving in the ground crew for the U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 fighter squadron (the 414 Fighter Group of the Army Air Corps single engine air fighter group) and took great pride in his military service in Iwo Jima. Who could have known that 25 years later he would welcome Captain Fuschida (who led the attack on Pearl Harbor) into his home and travel with him to Pearl Harbor for a 25th anniversary commemoration of the bombing. Captain Fushida had converted to the Christian faith and his story is chronicled in the book “Wounded Tiger”. He treasured the beautiful Quilt of Valor he had recently received, and it was with him in his last moments. In his final years, one of his much-anticipated joys was The American Legion Riders honoring him annually on his birthday and he would want them to know how very much this tribute meant to him.

After college he went to work at the busy family mechanical contracting business, with clients including the Ford Motor Company. When a workers strike combined with an economic downturn closed the business, Wally and Maxine relocated to their summer home in Interlochen, MI. He was involved in many ventures, including real estate, a restaurant, and opened four gift shops in Traverse City, including in the Park Place Hotel where he continued to work part-time into his 90’s.

A man of deep Christian faith, he was active in Grosse Pointe Baptist Church, Bethany Baptist Church, and most recently attended the Bible Baptist Church in Traverse City. In 2014 he was instrumental in bringing an exhibition of rare first edition Bibles, including one from 1534, to his community. In his final decade of life, along with Maxine, he was part of establishing the nonprofit Nativity Legacy ministry.

An accomplished baritone, his love of music led him to the youth church choir. He was a dashing soldier in uniform on leave when Maxine caught her first glimpse of him at a youth church gathering in 1944. After returning three years later, he started driving Maxine home after choir practice and romance began to bloom. He kept his love of music throughout his life, singing in a college quartet, as a soloist, and in many church choirs. His most joyful notes were no doubt the duets he sang with Maxine, an accomplished soprano in her own right, as they made beautiful music together for 75 years. A favorite piece of music they often sang together was “Oh Lord Most Holy”.

“Is the game on?” was a constant refrain and Wally’s love for the Detroit Lions was second only to his passion for the Detroit Tigers. He loved his family and his community, and always had a hearty greeting and a curiosity for the life story of everyone who crossed his path. Besides his wife and extended family, the great delights of his life included chocolate ice cream, Vernors Ginger Ale, his WWII Veteran baseball cap, afternoons on his beloved Green Lake as the skipper of his pontoon boat and contemplating the contents of the display case at Maxbauer’s Meat Market for the next cut of meat for Sunday dinner.

A celebration of Wally’s life is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 19th at 1:00 pm at Bible Baptist Church at 1915 Cass Rd, Traverse City, MI. All are welcome to join the family at the church immediately after the service for food and community fellowship. In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial donations in honor of Walter Pieschke may be made to the nonprofit Nativity Legacy, 1802 Lake Pointe Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686 (this is also the mailing address for any condolence cards or deliveries).

Wally spent the last few years of his life as he so greatly wished, cared for at home and surrounded by those he loved. This would not have been possible without the unwavering support of his entire family and community, and especially his local daughters Cathie and Cherrie and son-in-law Tim. This takes a village, and his entire family wants to recognize the exceptional efforts of all the organizations and individual caregivers who made this possible. Each one of you has our heartfelt gratitude for the loving care, compassion, and happiness you brought to Wally in the final years and months of his life. These organizations include Hospice of Michigan, Commission on Aging of Traverse City, Comfort Keepers, and the local Veterans Administration staff.