Walter George Swatfager, 67, of Ellendale, ND, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2017, at ManorCare Health Services in Aberdeen.

     His memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 8, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church, 121 2nd Street South, Ellendale, with Reverend Paul O.S. Preus officiating.

     Walter’s wishes were to be cremated with burial taking place at the Ellendale City Cemetery.  Brad Swatfager will be the urn bearer.  Honorary urn bearers will be The Dickey County Highway Department.

     Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Friends may sign Walter’s online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

     No visitation will take place prior to the service.

     Walter George Swatfager was born December 8, 1949, in Aberdeen, SD, to Ervin and Imgard (Banse) Swatfager.  He was raised and attended school in Ellendale.  Following graduation from Ellendale High School, Walter was employed with the City of Ellendale for eleven years.  In 1979, he began what would become a 35-year career as a truck driver with the Dickey County Highway Department.

     Walter was united in marriage to Joyce Steagall on May 11, 1985.  The couple made Ellendale their home, where Walter remained employed with the Dickey County Highway Department until the time of his retirement in 2014.

     In his spare time, Walter enjoyed playing Bingo and visiting casinos.  He also loved spending time outdoors, especially during harvest time.

     Grateful to have shared in Walter’s life are his wife, Joyce Swatfager of Ellendale; his brothers:  Allen, Paul, Richard, and Harold Swatfager, all of Ellendale and Herb Swatfager of Riverdale, ND; his nieces and nephews, Brad (Angie) Swatfager and their children, Jake and Ava of MN, Jenny Blossom and Todd of WI, Lisa Steagall of ND, and Jeff (Eilene) Steagall and their children, Jackson and Dylan of TX; and two brothers-in-law, Woody Steagall of OK and Gordon Slark of Ellendale, ND.

     Walter is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Dorothy Swatfager and Linda Slark.