Walter “Bud” H. Kalb

Walter “Bud” H. Kalb, 81, of Ontario passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his family. 

Walter “Bud” was born April 21, 1934, to Walter H. and Evelyn (Strandberg) Kalb in Chicago. On April 24, 1954, he married his best friend, Patricia “Sis” Nowakowski. Together they owned a plumbing company in the Chicago area for many years. 

When their children were young, they enjoyed traveling and camping. On one of their many adventures, they discovered Wildcat Mountain State Park and the village of Ontario. This is where they found their piece of paradise and built Brush Creek Campground. They enjoyed the next 30 years camping in their own little utopia. In the offseason, Bud and Sis found themselves in Yuma, Ariz. He was known for playing Santa Claus to many of his friends and neighbors there. Driving through the desert in his dune buggy was another favored pastime of Walter’s.

Walter is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, “Sis”; his son, Doug Kalb of Ontario; his daughter, Kathy (Glen) Schendel of Sparta; his brother, Dwight Kalb of Florida; six grandchildren, Jacob Caterina, Jordan and Jeremy Kalb, Craig Schendel, Ken (Kristin) Schendel and Kelli (Damian) Pasch; six great-grandchildren, Madison Schendel, Tyler, Tanner and Brielle Schendel, Bromley Pasch and Canan; along with many other relatives and friends. 

Walter was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William Kalb.

A celebration of Walter’s life will be held at a later date. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be offered online at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Comments are closed.

  • Linda Lee Smith

    March 26th, 2024
    by

    Linda Lee Smith departed for the journey to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 16, 2024. 


    Rita Jo (Rueckheim) Hammond

    March 26th, 2024
    by

    It is with great sorrow we announce that we lost a sister and friend, Rita Jo (Rueckheim) Hammond. Rita, 62, of Sparta, Wis., passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Mayo Health in Sparta, Wis.


    Mary Wallace

    March 25th, 2024
    by

    Mary Wallace, 79, of Viroqua Wis., died March 21, 2024. She was born to Bert and Lola (Clark) Wallace on Aug. 15, 1944. 


    Danielle J. Fields

    March 20th, 2024
    by

    Danielle J. Fields, 23, of Sparta passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024. She was born Sept. 3, 2000, to Jacci Osmond and Eric Fields in Tomah. She grew up in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 2018.


    Kenneth R. McDaniel

    March 16th, 2024
    by

    Kenneth R. McDaniel, 88, of Tomah passed away Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. 


  • Sandra Ann Collins

    March 15th, 2024
    by

    Sandra Ann Collins, 77, an incredibly loving mother, mother in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away on March 13, 2024, peacefully at her home. 


    Alan Burgess Willis

    March 15th, 2024
    by

    Alan Burgess Willis, 84, of Westby, Wis., passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024.  Alan was born Sept. 13, 1939, to Alfred “Fred” and Florence (Lamb) Willis in Whitestown, Vernon County, Wis.


    Linda Lou Zimmerman

    March 15th, 2024
    by

    Linda Lou Zimmerman, 66, of Cashton, Wis., passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Linda was born to George and Edna (Brock) Abbenaus on June 27, 1957, in Billings, Mont.


    Patrick Donald Leis

    March 5th, 2024
    by

    Patrick Donald Leis, 61, of Westby, formerly of Cashton, Wis., died March 4, 2024, at the Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis.


    Kim Ballwahn

    March 5th, 2024
    by

    Kim Ballwahn, 63, of Wilton went home to meet Jesus on March 4, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.


    Ardella Marie Leis

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    Ardella Marie Leis, 89, of Cashton, Wis., passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Ardella was born March 17, 1934, to Joseph and Irma (Schmitz) Schreier. 


  • Archives