Posted by William H. Ward on March 30, 2015:

From the Find-A-Grave website: Memorial Number 144179349: Walt Ambrose, 68, of Walnut, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha. Walter Joseph Ambrose, Jr. was born in Missouri Valley on Oct. 13, 1946 to Walter Sr. and Thelma Ambrose. During his younger years he helped his parents raise cattle, hogs, milk cows and did chores. Walt attended country school during his elementary years riding his bike to school each day. In 1954, his parents moved to a farm outside Council Bluffs. While attending Lewis Central High School he was active in football, track and choir. Upon graduation, Walt enlisted in the Army. After much perseverance he was accepted into the United States Military Academy Prep School. From 1966-1970 Walt attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated from the Academy June 3, 1970. Walt was married to Sharon Elaine Eblen July 12, 1970. They enjoyed 20 years of military life making eighteen moves in the first fourteen years. Walt attended IOBC, Airborne and Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia. While stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Jennifer Marie. After various moves Walt was stationed for three years at Kitzingen, Germany. While in Germany they were blessed with a son, Benjamin Thomas. Upon returning to the states Walt was first stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. and then at Fort Campbell, Ky. where he commanded an aviation unit. The family was fortunate to be stationed in Alaska for two years and then returned to Fort Campbell for another three year tour of duty. In 1984, the family moved to a farm outside of Walnut. For the next several years, Walt simultaneously farmed and served his country as an officer on the National Emergency Airborne Command Post and the Strategic Nuclear Planning Staff. During his service to his country, he received many awards and badges; Expert Infantry Badge, Air Assault Badge, Master Aviator Badge, Joint Chief of Staff Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachute Badge, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He attended the Airborne, Ranger, Rotary Wing Aviator, Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and Command and General Staff College. Walt retired from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel in October of 1990. Upon military retirement, Walt continued to farm and run a helicopter crop dusting service. He also started a second career with Union Pacific Railroad. While employed with UP, he worked on the line in Colorado, before being promoted to coordinate maintenance operations at UP Headquarters. He retired from the railroad in the fall of 2013. Walt enjoyed working on his farm raising yellow labs and horses. His greatest joy was helping Jennifer and Ben and being grandpa to Sabien, Sammy, Alli, and Alex. Walt is survived by his wife, Sharon; children, Jennifer (Andy) Hahn of Eldridge; Ben Ambrose of Omaha; grandchildren, Sabien, Samantha, Allison and Alex Ambrose; mother, Thelma Ambrose of Walnut, Iowa; sisters, Josephine (Bill) Heaps of Dunlap, Iowa; Sandra (Leroy) Wood of Kellerton, Iowa; Marie (Chuck) King of Houston, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Walter J. Ambrose, Sr.; and his father- and mother-in-law, Darrell and Virginia Eblen. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 28, 10:30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Lanette Plambeck officiating. Interment will be in the Atlantic Cemetery with Military Rites by the Atlantic Color Guard. Visitation with the family present will be Friday, March 27, from 4-7 p.m., at the Roland Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family for a scholarship established in Walt's name.

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