Walt Ambrose, 68, of Walnut, passed away Tuesday, March 24, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha.

Walter Joseph Ambrose, Jr. was born in Missouri Valley, Iowa on October 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, Georgia and then at Fort Campbell, Kentucky 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, Iowa. 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, IA; Ben Ambrose of Omaha, NE; 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.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Walt's family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com


IN REMEMBRANCE OF

WALT AMBROSE

BORN
October13, 1946
Missouri Valley, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Omaha, NE
At the age of
68 years, 5 months, & 11 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Ten-thirty a.m.
First United Methodist Church
Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIANT ~ Pastor Lanette Plambeck

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“Faith and Worship Album” by Randy Travis

“Amazing Grace” by Carolyn DeLay

“The Corps”
by the united states military academy band and Glee Club

“The Old Rugged Cross” by the Congregation

“Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn

“Alma Mater”
by the united states military academy band and Glee Club

“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler

“Reveille”

“Up Around the Bend” by creedence Clearwater revival

CASKET BEARERS
Ben Ambrose
Andy Hahn
Sabien Ambrose
Jason Book
Jeff Bowlin
Garrett Anderson

HONORARY BEARERS
Jennifer Hahn
Samantha Ambrose
Allison Ambrose
Alex Ambrose

IN CHARGE OF FLOWERS
Christi Garrett
Sue Riggs
Faye Dreyer
Jayne Thielen

MILITARY HONORS
Atlantic Color Guard
“Taps” by Mike Gibson

The family invites you to join them for lunch in the
church fellowship hall following The Committal Service.

Memorials may be made to the family for a
Scholarship to be established in walt’s name.

CADET PRAYER

O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural.
 
Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretence ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won. Endow us with courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy. Guard us against flippancy and irreverence in the sacred things of life. Grant us new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service. Kindle our hearts in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance, and soften our hearts with sympathy for those who sorrow and suffer. Help us to maintain the honor of the Corps untarnished and unsullied and to show forth in our lives the ideals of West Point in doing our duty to Thee and to our Country. All of which we ask in the name of the Great Friend and Master of all.
 
Amen

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