Walter C. Zell, 86, of Spearfish, SD was born on February 3, 1930 in Doland, SD. He passed away peacefully on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the David M. Dorsett Care Center in Spearfish, surrounded by loved ones.

He was born to parents, Melvin Fredrick Zell and Susan Marie (Rouse) Zell. He attended school in Frankfort, S.D. Walter then served a tour of duty in the Army Air Corps as a fire fighter. He married Neva Rose Wiles on April 19, 1950 in Pipestone, MN. He was a member of the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Huron, S.D and the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Spearfish. He retired from the Bureau of Reclamation after over thirty years of service. Walter enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, motorcycling, and flying. Many will remember him for his quick sense of humor.

Walter is survived by his loving wife Neva Zell and his four children Linda Johnson of Spearfish, SD; Timothy Zell (Judy Chesley) of Alexandria, MN; Natalie Weber (Frank Weber) of Cheboygan, MI and Christopher Zell (Lisa Zell) of Bonney Lake, WA, his grandson, Jarrett Johnson of St. Paul, MN, sisters; Geraldine Starkey, Brainerd, MN; Bernadine Wiles of Redfield, S.D. and Laura Eidsness of Redfield, SD; and brother, Joseph Zell of Huron, SD; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Fredrick Zell.

Funeral Service for Walter will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD. Interment will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 19th, at Mount Hope Cemetery at Frankfort, SD. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.