Walter John Krier was born on June 13, 1923 in Tipton, Kansas to parents John and Mary (Junk) Krier. He passed away on February 3, 2012 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota.

After completing grade school, Walt worked various jobs in the Tipton area until 1946 when he came to South Dakota with Bob and Roland Arnoldy in a group sometimes referred to as the "Kansas Farmers". They were custom farmers transporting plows, tractors and combines on single axle trucks initially farming in both Kansas and South Dakota. They rented rooms at Frank and Audrey Rust's home in Herrick while farming in the area, and also attended many dances at the Herrick Dance Hall.

Walt met Henrietta Lunn, and they were married November 5, 1952 at St. John's Catholic Church in Herrick. They received a cow and a calf from Henrietta's parents along with help purchasing their first tractor from Walt's parents. They initially rented what is now their home place in 1952 for two years, then moved to a place owned by Melvin Cressman east of Lake Berry for two years and finally back to the home place, which they later purchased from Frank and Audrey Rust. They spent the next 55 years farming, ranching and raising their six children on that farm.

Walt's passion was farming and watching the crops grow. He started with horse-drawn equipment as a kid, and finished with modern state-of-the-art equipment. He was always a progressive farmer who changed with technology. He particularly liked operating combines, which he was still doing after his 87th birthday. He spent hours driving from field to field checking the crops. We often wondered if they would have any crops left to harvest, after digging up the seeds to check planting, pulling plants and picking ears of corn throughout the growing season.

Walt very much enjoyed family, relatives and friends. He reluctantly traveled, but always enjoyed the trips. After a trip in 1994, he had a huge smile on his face after being the first to greet President Clinton as he stepped from Air Force One in Minneapolis. He was also an avid card player at the local pool hall, always playing to win. Walt will be missed.

Survivors include his wife, Henrietta (Lunn); children Alice Krier of Wagner, SD; Jean Krier of Rapid City, SD; Dan (Peg) Krier of Cuero, TX; Jim (Nancy) Krier of Herrick, SD; John Krier of Phoenix, AZ; and Teresa Krier of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren: Danny Krier, Ben Krier, Natalie Krier and Sam Krier; his sisters: Carole Sullivan of Omaha, NE; and Kathy Allen of Lincoln, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Eleanor Quapp and Agnes Rezac; and by his brother, Edmund Krier.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Herrick Cemetery, Herrick. There will be a rosary on Tuesday at 7:00 PM at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.