Waldemar P. "Wally" Hommerding, age 86, of Melrose, died peacefully on Monday, February 7, 2011 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 10 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Ken Thielman officiating. Interment will follow the lunch at St. Michael's Cemetery in Spring Hill.

Waldemar Peter Hommerding was born February 4, 1925 in Rockville Township, Stearns County to Nicholas and Rosalia (Reiter) Hommerding. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict from 1948 to 1952. On June 24, 1952 he married Marion Libbesmeier at St. Mary's Cathedral in St. Cloud. Wally farmed most of his life and retired from farming in 2004. While farming, he was a feed salesman for various companies. He then worked at Fleet Supply in Paynesville and later, the couple moved to Melrose. Wally enjoyed woodworking, playing cards, bowling, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Wally was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Knights of Columbus Council 3820 and the Lake Henry American Legion Post 612.

Survivors include his wife, Marion Hommerding of Melrose; children, Gene (Lori) Hommerding of Dayton, Ken (Gail) Hommerding of Grey Eagle, Dale (Marla) Hommerding of Blaine, Gary (Marge) Hommerding of Hancock, Keith (Brenda) Hommerding of Holdingford, Lee (Karen) Hommerding of Anchorage, AK, and Glenn (Brenda) Hommerding of St. Joseph; 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Esther (Gerald) Kirchoff of Colorado Springs, CO, Mona Weinhold of Apple Valley, and Jo Bauer of St. Cloud; and sister-in-law, Marian Hommerding of Cold Spring.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Gerard; daughter-in-law, Lynn Hommerding; infant siblings; brothers, Elmer and Cuthbert; sister, Iris Breummer; and brothers-in-law, Bill Breummer and Bob Bauer.

Serving as casket bearers will be Wally's sons, Gene, Ken, Dale, Gary, Keith, and Lee Hommerding. Serving as cross bearer will be Glenn Hommerding and scripture bearer will be Tyler Hommerding. Honorary bearers will be Wally's daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.