Walter Emmett Sehnert, age 94, passed away on June 17, 2022, at Kinship Point of McCook, Nebraska.
Walt was born March 13, 1928, in Huron, South Dakota to Walter Max and Lenita (Ackerman) Sehnert. He grew up in Plainview, Nebraska where his parents ran a bakery.
Walt graduated from Plainview High School in 1946. From there Walt graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and then the American Institute of Baking in Chicago. UNL was where Walt met his future bride, Jean Leisy. The two were married on June 10, 1951 and celebrated 71 years of marriage one week before Walt's death. From the wedding, the couple headed to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where Walt was stationed before leaving for Korea. Learning the baking trade from his father, Walt spent his time in Korea with the 130th Quartermaster Baking Company.
Upon returning from Korea, Walt and Jean settled in Plainview where Walt joined his father in the family baking business. In 1957, Walt moved his family to McCook, and purchased the local bakery. In the 60’s, Walt left baking for a short time to complete a master’s degree in Anthropology at UNL. He came back to baking in 1972 and moved the bakery one block north in 1981. Walt continued baking until 1990 when his son and daughter-in-law took over the operation.
While he learned the love of baking from his father, Walt acquired a love of storytelling and writing from his mother, an English teacher and writer. In retirement, Walt wrote stories he remembered for the Plainview News and the McCook Gazette. These articles were compiled into four books about Plainview, McCook, and Korea.
Walt discovered his voice in retirement – both as the storyteller/emcee and as a singer. He and Jean loved organizing local musicians to perform at events around the area. Walt would write the programs around a certain theme and intersperse songs from the era.
Throughout Walt’s life, he was very community minded serving on committees and boards at the community and state levels including past president of the McCook Rotary, Kiwanis, McCook Library Foundation, and the Nebraska Bakers Association. He served on the McCook College Foundation, High Plains Museum Board, YMCA Board, UNL President’s Advisory Council along with many other civic organizations in and around McCook. He received multiple honors including Admiral of the Nebraska Navy, Buffalo Commons Master Storyteller, Mid-Plains Community College President’s Award, and the McCook Chamber Honor Family.
Travel was important to Walt and Jean. In early retirement they toured in their motorhome throughout North America. Later they cruised to a number of locations including the Panama Canal, Alaska with all their kids and grandchildren, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. A favorite annual destination was to Fort Robinson in Nebraska to enjoy the musicals at the Fort Playhouse.
Walt was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Lenita Sehnert; son-in-law, James Stuart, Jr.; grandchildren, Jacob and Elizabeth Messinger; and grandson-in-law, Thomas Van Klaveren.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Sehnert of McCook; sister, Judy Sullivan of Aurora, NE; daughter, Susan Stuart of Lincoln; daughter, Marie (Duane) Franzen of Greeley, CO; son, Matt (Shelly) Sehnert of McCook; grandchildren: Rob Stuart; Carrie (Eric Peterson) Stuart; Megan Stuart; Sarah (Nick) Smith; Gretchen (Taylor) Dixon; Becca Sehnert; Gabe Sehnert; great-grandchildren: Oren Peterson; Andy and Ellie Smith; Ty Walter Dixon; bonus grandchildren: Michelle, Brian, Trip, Suzy, Lee, and their families as well as extended family and friends from far and near.
In keeping with Walt’s wishes, the family chose cremation. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at 2:00 PM at the Peace Lutheran Church in McCook with Pastor Lonnie Felcher officiating. Burial of cremated remails will take place following the services at McCook Memorial Park Cemetery. Military Honors will be performed at the graveside by the Nebraska Army National Guard Funeral Honors Detail and American Legion Post #203 of McCook.
A gathering with the family present will be held at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook on Friday, July 1, 2022, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Memorials have been designated to the two communities that Walt loved and are suggested to the McCook Community Foundation Fund or the Plainview Community Foundation Fund in Walt’s Name. Friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.