Fern, Wisconsin: Walter W. Sternhagen, age 90, of Fern, Wisconsin, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2006, at his home. He was born January 5, 1916, in Fern Township, son of the late William and Wilhelmina (Kieper) Sternhagen. On November 1, 1939, he married Mildred Bogda in Chicago, Illinois. She preceded him in death on May 10, 1991. Walter attended grade school in Fern and high school in Florence. He joined the CCC Camp out of high school. After his marriage to Mildred, they resided in Chicago for about five years before moving to Fern, where they owned and operated the family farm. He enjoyed farming for over 28 years retiring in 1967. They moved back to Oak Forest, Illinois, where he worked as a school custodian for a few years before moving back to Fern. When he was young he liked playing the violin. He also enjoyed playing cribbage. He served on the Florence County Board, Town Board of Fern, and the School Board of Florence. Survivors include one son, Robert (Siri Trumble) Sternhagen, Fern; one daughter-in-law, Ellen (Jerry Rose) Sternhagen, Fern; two daughters, Anne Monzo, Tinley Park, Illinois, Mary (Lee) Murphy, Oak Forest, Ill.; one brother Charles (Lorraine) Sternhagen, Fence, Wis.; three sisters, Annette Horslev, Ill., Hannah Komovis, Lower Mich., Opal Kocha, Lower Mich.; four grandchildren, Maureen, Victoria, Shaundya, Tina; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Helen Sternhagen, Florence, Ariz. and Helen Koepp, Midlothian, Ill.; numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wife Mildred, Walter was preceded in death by one brother, Eugene Sternhagen, one sister, Minna Jenkins, and one grandchild Toni Monzo. Visitation will be Monday, June 26, 2006, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. at the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home in Florence. Funeral Services will be Monday, 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Michael Laakko will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Florence. Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Walter's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com The Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home of Florence is serving the family.