Walter Bartusch

With his faith as his compass, Walter Reinhardt Bartusch was a kind, considerate gentleman who lived a life rich in family and friends. Respectful and caring, Walter never demanded the spotlight. A man of few words, those words were always clean and careful, and he never hesitated to apologize when he thought he should. Walter had a wonderful sense of humor. He was an attentive listener who carefully timed, delivering just the right comment to spark ample laughter. Walter had an incredible work ethic and enjoyed the company of his beloved family. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Walter embodied the principles he believed in, proving a powerful role model for all who were blessed to know him.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, the power of hope undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there more hope for the future than in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as Reinhardt and Bertha (Krueger) Bartusch welcomed their youngest child, Walter, to their family on February 21, 1931.

Always proud to carry his father’s name in his, Walter grew up in the good company of his older sister in their family home. The house, on the northeast side of Grand Rapids on Sinclair Avenue, was built by his grandfather. During the Depression, Walter spent some time up north in the town of Shelby while his father helped work a relative’s farm. Immanuel Lutheran Church was an important part of the family. In the church fellowship, the family built their faith, many social relationships, and the opportunity for Walter to sing in the choir. Walter had asthma as a child and started wearing glasses at the age of six. Walter attended Eastern Elementary School, then Immanuel Lutheran before going to Central High School, where he sang in the glee choir.

After graduating with the class of 1949, Walter studied bookkeeping at Grand Rapids Junior College, now known as Grand Rapids Community College. He worked a few jobs right away, and through one of those jobs, he met Bernie Brouwer, who had a business selling mobile homes. Walter and Bernie had a wonderful working relationship, and Walter enjoyed working at B&R Mobile Homes Sales and Leasing for over 40 years.

At church, a nice young woman who was also in the choir with him caught his eye. Soon, he and Carole Trapp began dating. Five years later, with their hearts set on sharing the future, the couple united in marriage at their shared church home, Immanuel Lutheran, on June 20, 1959.

After honeymooning in Washington D.C. and Virginia, Carole and Walter settled into their first home, an apartment on Diamond Ave. in Grand Rapids. A year later, they built a home on Charlotte Ave. NW, where they lived together for 49 years until Carole's passing in 2008. When they welcomed their first child, daughter Linda, in 1962, Carole became a full-time mother. Two years later, son Mark was born, followed by Brian in 1965, and James in 1972. Together, Walter and Carole devoted themselves to their family and creating a loving and supportive home, and raising their children in the same spirit. Though Walter could be a disciplinarian when needed, he fathered with respect and, in so doing, earned their respect. The kids appreciated his caring words of “I love you” or “proud of you” and quickly realized the harshest discipline was knowing when they disappointed him.

His family also knew they could count on Walter to be home every night. He often read the paper before dinner and used his gift for numbers to patiently and carefully plan, especially the family’s finances. He rationed out their piano lesson money in envelopes, so it was easy to grab on the way to a lesson. The family vacationed for a couple of weeks each summer in Benzie County, often renting a cottage on the shores of beautiful Crystal Lake. Walter was known to jump right into a lake no matter the temperature and had a willingness to drive down any dirt road just to see where it may lead.

The cornerstone of their family continued to be their faith, and their church family was at the center of their social lives too. Walter was active in many ways at church. He served on committees, sang in the choir with Carole for 50 years, was on the board of lay ministers, and of course, working with finance. He also bowled on the church league for a while.

Though Carole was more social where she went, Walter often did too. He and Carole enjoyed playing cards and, with a couple of groups of friends, would host gatherings at their homes and play Michigan Rummy. They enjoyed many travelogues and later in life took some trips together, often bus trips and color tours. Carole did most of the cooking, but Walter tended the grilling. He relished making anything on his charcoal Weber grill. He had a unique sense of taste; pickled herring, liver and onions, and pig hocks were some favorite foods.

In time, Walter and Carole became members at St. James Lutheran Church, where he continued his steadfast faith. After navigating health struggles for ten years, Carole passed away in 2008. Leaning into his faith, family, friends, and persevering spirit, Walter learned to cook and do laundry and remained in their home for several more years. Seven years ago, he moved to Edison Christian Assisted Living. There, he enjoyed the comforts of Christian companionship and compassionate care. He cherished time with family and was happy to see his grandchildren when possible. Over the last months, as his health declined, Walter gifted his family again by making it clear that he did not fear death and was ready to go.

Clearly, life feels less certain in the absence of Walter’s steadfast companionship. May we find comfort in our many treasured memories, knowing he has been reunited with his beloved, and carrying his legacy forward. In each moment we choose kindness, faith, and hope and generously give of our gifts, we celebrate the many ways Walter showed us how to live a faith-centered life.

Walter R. Bartusch, age 91, of Grand Rapids, passed away on September 21, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carole, in 2008. Walter is survived by their children, Linda Bartusch, Mark (Dawn) Bartusch, Brian Bartusch, and James (Angela) Bartusch; grandchildren, Joshua and Claire Bartusch; a cousin Dorothy Carroll; as well as several nieces and nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister Ruth Salisbury.

His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, 2040 Oakwood Ave. NE. Burial will be at Rosedale Cemetery. You may visit with Walter’s family on Tuesday at the church beginning at 10 AM. For those who wish, memorial contributions to either St. James Lutheran Church or Edison Christian Foundation are appreciated. To read more about Walter, to share a memory or photo, or sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com