Walter (Wally) John Schoenborn, age 89, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, at the Sanford Palliative Care Unit in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his family.

Wally was born on November 30, 1922, at home on the farm north of Beaulieu, MN, to Herman and Cecelia (Haider) Schoenborn. He was the oldest of seven children. He worked with his brothers on the family farm until joining the US Navy where he served as Seaman First Class. He returned home, and on May 6, 1944, Wally married the love of his life, Mardelle Lorraine Kaste. He spent the first two years of their marriage serving his country. Over the next several years, they lived in Roseau, Beaulieu and Mahnomen, where Wally worked at a variety of jobs. Wally purchased Mahnomen Concrete Products (aka Schoenborn Bros Concrete) in 1954. He partnered with his brothers, Delmar and Sylvester. They sold concrete blocks, tanks and ready-mix. After 40 years in business, Wally retired at age 72.

Wally and Mardelle's home was a busy, happy place where they welcomed each of their fifteen children, and later their growing families. He loved cooking and served up wonderful meals on Sundays and for family gatherings. Wally had a great love for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, pontoon rides, riding his Ranger through the woods, and spending time at the lake cabin with family. Another pastime he loved was collecting cars. His '59 Cadillac was his pride and joy and he entered it in many area parades and car shows.
Wally was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Knights of Columbus, Mahnomen Lions and served as a member of the Mahnomen School Board for 25 years.

Wally is survived by his children. Five sons: Michael (Vivian), Mahnomen, MN, Gary (Debbie), Detroit Lakes, MN, Jeff, Waubun, MN, Doug (Brenda), Mahnomen, MN and Dave, Elk River, MN. Ten daughters: Diane Schoenborn, Minneapolis, MN, Carol (Norbert) Herby, Plymouth, MN, Linda (Ken) Svenby, Waubun, MN, Rita (Larry) Wollmuth, Waubun, MN, Cleone (Steve) Rude, Anchorage, AK, Sandy (Lloyd) Maydole, Hawley, MN, Nancy (Doug) Flicek, Ramsey, MN, Laurie (Jeff) Dodd, Fargo, ND, Rhonda (Paul) Collison, Green Bay, WI, Michelle, Mahnomen, MN. 35 Grandchildren: Don (Alicia) Schoenborn, Darla (Ray) Peterson, Scott Schoenborn, Lisa (Dan) Bouillez, Terry Herby, Stacey (Kevin) Glass, Chad (JJ) Svenby, Lisa (Dave) Nance, Dana (Garth) Vaagene, Jeanna Svenby, Melanie Johnson, Kimberly (Justin) Wegleitner, Greg (Kristina) Schoenborn, Ryan (Marybeth) Wollmuth, Dever Wollmuth, Amy Wollmuth, Chris (Amber) Rude, Nick (Lindsey) Rude, Lyndsey Rude, Tonia (Beau) Lofgren, Nate Maydole, Andrea Maydole, Aaron Flicek, Joe Flicek (in spirit), Wade Schoenborn, Jason Dodd, Corey Dodd, Kayla Dodd, Larissa Schoenborn, Amberly (Jesse) Figgs, Marcus Collison, Matthew Collison, Ariana Collison, Kaleb Gieseke, Karson Gieseke. 37 Great-grandchildren and 1 Great-great-grandchild; one sister: Lucille (Milo) Winter, Waubun, MN; five brothers: LaVerne (Verla), Marvin (Eleanor), Delmar (Betty), Anthony (Joan), and Sylvester (Pat), all of Mahnomen, MN.

Wally was preceded in death by his wife, Mardelle, his parents, grandson Joe Flicek, sister-in-law Ione Hanson, brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Donna Kaste.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012 at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Mahnomen, MN. Visitation will be at St. Michael's Catholic Church on Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm followed by the Rosary, led by members of the Knights of Columbus. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service on Friday. Interment will be at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery in Mahnomen, MN.