With 101 years of a vibrant life filled with faith, family, and farming, Walter Amen of Iliff, CO, was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on July 8, 2023, in the very home in which he was born.  Viewing will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, July 23 at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home with family to receive friends from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. A celebration of Walter's life will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, July 24 at Christ United Methodist Church with a graveside service to follow at Riverside Cemetery.   Walter was a genuine, sincere soul who loved Jesus, his family and his community.  He was the steady patriarch of the Amen family and Amen Angus Farms.  He leaves a precious legacy and faith-filled example to follow.
Walter David Amen was born on March 24, 1922, to David and Anna (Lebsack) Amen.  Walter's parents were Germans from the Volga Region of Russia and purchased a farm near Proctor, CO where Walter, along with his three sisters and brother, grew up working on their diversified farm.  Walter attended elementary school in a one-room school known as the Amen School and graduated from Crook High School in 1940.  Walter married his sweetheart, Louise T. Leffler of Greeley, on Dec 17, 1944, and they were blessed with two sons, Kenton Carl and Edwin Allen.  Walter remained on his family farm where he and Louise stewarded the farm diligently.  In 1952, Walter was a pioneer in planting irrigated grass as a crop which Walter considered one of the most important things he did on their farm. Walter and Louise were continually serving in the community and providing a home of hospitality and fellowship.  From that servanthood spirit and love for youth, they co-founded the Proctor Peppers 4-H Club.  Walter was a 4-H leader for 30 years.  He loved helping the members grow and improve their skills with a variety of projects.  Until he turned 100, Walter would attend the Logan County fair every year.
Walter farmed in partnership with his dad until his son Ken graduated from college and returned home to farm side by side with Walter where the two of them formed a family corporation which continues today, Amen Angus Farms, Inc.  Walter and Ken began registering Angus cattle in 1962 and became Pioneer seed representatives in 1973; their Pioneer agency continues today as well.  Walter and Ken were not only business partners, and father-son, but they were the best of friends.
Walter lost his wife Louise after 38 years of marriage upon returning home from a trip to Germany and Europe which was a life-long dream for them.  Walter was fortunate to meet a lovely lady, Winona Graf of Almena, KS who had also lost her spouse and the two were married on November 6, 1982.  Walter and Winona were married for 31 years.  Walter was named the Logan County Fair Parade Marshall in 2002.  Walter, in typical fashion, very humbly accepted the esteemed honor.  He was then awarded the Pioneer Award from the Colorado Angus Association in 2004.  Just recently in 2023, Walter was honored as a Centennial Farmer by the State of Colorado and his farm was awarded the Centennial Farm and Ranch.
Walter enjoyed music and sang in men's quartets for several years along with playing the violin. His deep bass voice was a delight to hear.  Walter was a member of the United Church of Crook and Christ United Methodist Church.  He was involved in choir, Sunday School and a variety of building and planning committees.  Walter rarely missed a Sunday worship service even to the age of 100.  He enjoyed many birthday parties and most often would request that his family join him at church for his birthday.  His 100th birthday party was an incredible honor and blessing to him and "the best day ever."  He was showered with love from his family and many friends for which he was so grateful.
Walter was known for his practice of stewardship of the land, innovation of new practices, and invention of equipment for their farm operation.  He was extremely wise, a visionary, and a master builder with a creative mind.  In all things he did, sustainability and stewardship were of utmost importance.  Walter invented a variety of machinery items including a loader built using a former school bus chassis.  Walter never really retired from farming.  He was still spraying weeds on the farm at the age of 99.  Over the course of 101 years, Walter saw so many changes and transitions.  In Walter's mind, one of the most notable was simply the change from horses to tractors plus the welcome addition of rubber tires.  Walter and his farm survived the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, the recession of the 80's and so much more, but faith in God as the sovereign provider and sustainer of everything done on the farm and ranch were what carried him forward.  Walter not only planted seeds on his farm over his lifetime, but also planted seeds of faith in the lives of others.  He was a caring father, a loving husband, a thoughtful neighbor and an awesome grandpa who adored his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  His gracious smile, generous heart, humorous spirit, loving nature, and signature "pinky wave" were a blessing to everyone he knew.
Walter is preceded in death by his first wife Louise and second wife, Winona; parents, David and Anna; sisters Edna Duncan, Lena Nein and Irene Heckel; brothers Harry and David Amen; sons Ken Amen and Dennis Graf; and granddaughter, Tonya Thompson.  He is survived by his children Ed Amen, Bonnie Amen, Judy Graf, Joyce (Dennie) Lofgreen, Steve Graf, Julie (Steve) Graf Frye; his grandchildren Wendy (Mat) Lewis, Heidi (Virgil) Griffith, Heather (Mike) Forster, Tim (Linette) Amen, Susan (Michael) Lee, Rodney (Amy) Graf, Troy (Jackie) Graf, Tami (Keith) Cosgrove, Tricia (Joey) Anderson, Brock Lofgreen, Holly Lofgreen, Regan (Anya) Lofgreen, Ashton Lofgreen, Genevieve Frye, and Charlie Frye; 36 great-grandchildren and their spouses and 8 great-great-grandchildren. A special thank you to his caregivers whom his family gratefully named "Grandpa's Angels" and his amazing team from Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Walter's memory to Christ United Methodist Church at 104 South 4th St., Sterling, CO 80751 or Hospice of the Plains at 100 Broadway St. Suite 1A, Sterling, CO 80751.