Walter Herman Hirsbrunner, 91, Soda Springs, passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at home with his loving family surrounding him.

Walter was born May 24, 1919, in Winslow, Illinois, the son of Johannes (John) Hirsbrunner and Maria Zumbrunn. They lived in Illinois until he was 4 years old and then they moved to a farm in Woodriver Valley near Gannett, Idaho. Later, the family moved to Grays Lake, Idaho, where his family made Swiss cheese.

After attending college, Walter married Lucille Helen Reese on March 30, 1939 in Soda Springs, Idaho. They lived on a farm at the head of Bridge Creek in Grays Lake and worked with his dad at the Wayan cheese factory. After his parents retired, he and Lucille moved to Meridian, Idaho where he was the assistant butter maker at the creamery. In 1944, They moved back to Wayan and purchased the Cheese factory. Soon after, Walter joined the army and served in the South Pacific during World War II from 1944 to 1946. During this time Walt's dad stepped in to help Lucille run the cheese factory.

In 1953, they moved to Soda Springs and he worked in the Creamery making butter for the next 5 years. From there he started working in the phosphate industry at Central Farmers. In 1963 the family moved to Phillipsburg, Montana to work at Montana Phosphate. A year later they moved back and Walt worked at Central Farmers, El Paso, and Bekers near Conda. Retiring in 1984, he consulted for JR Simplot's Conda facility.

Walter enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping all his life. He enjoyed traveling the world visiting his birthplace in Illinois, Mexico, Russia, New Zealand, Australia. He visited Europe three times especially enjoying Switzerland where he had his family roots. He became an avid genealogist spending many hours in the Family History Center. He entered over 100,000 names into his genealogy and helped many others do their genealogy. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on his 78th birthday. He was a High Priest and was sealed to Lucille in the Logan Temple on May 30, 1998.

Walter is survived by his wife of 72 years, three daughters: Carol Hirsbrunner of Soda Springs, Idaho; Lora Williams of Mendon, Utah; Betty (Barry) Bassett of Grace, Idaho; and two sons, Dr. Wayne (Mary) Hirsbrunner of Roy, Utah and David (Candy) Hirsbrunner Kaysville, Utah ;19 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, John and Fred; his sisters, Clara Shuler and Emma Burton his twin; a granddaughter, Anne Marie Keetch; and two of his sons-in-law, Thomas Keetch and Lenard Williams.

Services will be held on Monday, April 25, 2011 at Noon at the Hooper LDS Chapel in Soda Springs, with Bishop Scott Gambles. The family will visit with friends on Sunday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sims Funeral Home and on Monday morning from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Soda Springs.